【Book Description】
Zaha Hadid was a pioneering figure who fundamentally redefined the language of contemporary architecture. Her work is renowned for its sweeping curves, dynamic forms, and dreamlike spatial compositions that defy traditional geometric frameworks. In the early stages of her career, despite receiving numerous international design awards and critical acclaim, Hadid was often labeled as “unbuildable” due to her radical aesthetics and complex structural concepts. It wasn’t until the early 21st century, when several of her groundbreaking projects were finally realized, that she shed the label of “paper architect” and emerged as an irreplaceable icon in global architecture. Born in Baghdad and based in London, Hadid’s ascent from theoretical designs to built masterpieces marked a turning point in contemporary architectural practice.
Published by TASCHEN, Zaha Hadid. Complete Works is a monumental monograph that offers a panoramic view of the architect’s full creative journey. Spanning more than three decades, the book comprehensively documents all of her significant works—from early competition entries and conceptual designs to completed projects around the world. It covers not only buildings, but also interior design, furniture, and urban planning, showcasing her visionary thinking and ability to work across scales with a cohesive and future-forward design approach.
The book presents detailed plans and striking photographs of landmark projects such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, the Phaeno Science Center in Wolfsburg, and the Central Building of the BMW Plant in Leipzig. It further explores how Hadid harnessed parametric design and digital tools to transform once-impossible forms into buildable, habitable architecture. Her designs are not only visually groundbreaking but also challenge fundamental notions of gravity, spatial hierarchy, and urban experience.
One of the highlights of this edition is the inclusion of multiple translucent vellum pages, allowing readers to view and dissect different structural and conceptual layers of her projects—offering an intimate glimpse into the core of Hadid’s design process. Complemented by her original sketches and hand-drawn studies, along with expert commentary and contextual essays, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of how she engaged with technology, culture, and nature through her architectural language.
Zaha Hadid was more than an architect—she was a boundary-breaking visionary who transformed buildings into flowing, experiential environments. From landscape to urban fabric to the scale of the body, her work radiates a powerful spatial tension and a bold sense of futurism. Zaha Hadid. Complete Works is both a sweeping record of architectural innovation and a testament to a woman who carved out a singular path in a male-dominated field. For anyone interested in contemporary architecture, design, or the future of spatial imagination, this is an essential and unforgettable publication.
【Publication Details】
Author: Philip Jodidio
Publisher: TASCHEN
Dimensions: 44 × 34 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 600 pages
