For the first time in twenty-five years, The Hyatt Foundation has awarded a woman the highest honor in architecture. Iraqi-born, Zaha Hadid will be presented with the Pritzker Architecture Prize this May in St. Petersburg, Russia. At fifty-three years of age, she is also the youngest person ever to win the award.

The Hyatt Foundation honors living architects. Hadid is responsible for having a hand in designing structures both built and unbuilt. Two finished buildings include: the Contemporary Arts Centre in Cincinnati (1998 - May 2003 Opening) and a German Fire Station (1990-94).

"It is gratifying to us as sponsors of the prize to see our very independent jury honor a woman for the first time," said Thomas Pritzker, president of the Hyatt Foundation, in announcing the award.

"Although her body of work is relatively small, she has achieved great acclaim and her energy and ideas show even greater promise for the future," he said.

Hadid, who lives in England, is known for consistently pushing the boundaries of architecture and urban design. She studied at the Architectural Association (1972). She as taught at the AA with renowned architects, Rem Koolhaas and Elia Zenghelis. She has held a Chair at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University and the University of Chicago School of Architecture. Currently, Hadid is a professor at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna.

In addition to buildings, housing projects and ski jumps (Innsbruck, Austria - 2002), she has created furniture for restaurants, stage sets and other temporary structures.

Her work is part of the permanent collection of various institutions including MoMA New York, San Francisco MoMA, and the Deutsches Architektur Museum in Frankfurt, Germany.

Current projects include: the Contemporary Arts Centre for Rome, Italy; a Science Centre in Wolfsburg, Germany; a ferry terminal in Salemo, Italy; a public square and cinema complex in Barcelona; a Central Plant Building for BMW in Leipzig; the Ordrupgaard museum extension in Copenhagen; a major bridge structure in Abu Dhabi; the Maggie's Centre in Kirkcaldy, Scotland; a museum and archive building in Montpellier, France; a library, archive and sport department in Montpellier, France; and the Price Tower Arts Centre in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

To see all of Hadid's works, go to: Zaha-Hadid.com

Inspire & Be Inspired (tm).

~Jennifer King

Interview with Hadid:

ABC.net.au, Zaha Hadid first woman to win Pritzker prize, 3/23/04

Three books Zaha Hadid has authored, and one Rem Koolhaas are available for sale by clicking on "Buy Products Related to This Story" below.