Architecture News: Zaha Hadid Legacy, Museum Designs, and Cultural Developments

This week's architectural news covers several significant developments. A decade after her passing, Zaha Hadid's legacy continues through institutional initiatives, including a London symposium, scholarship programs from the Zaha Hadid Foundation, and a street naming in Milan. Her early work, featured in MoMA's 1988 Deconstructivist Architecture exhibition, pioneered experimental approaches. The 2026 QS World University Rankings for architecture show leading positions for institutions like The Bartlett School of Architecture, MIT, ETH Zurich, and Delft University of Technology, with strong showings from Asian universities such as the National University of Singapore and Tsinghua University. In project news, Büro Ole Scheeren has revealed designs for the Róng Museum of Art in Shenzhen's Nanshan District, set to open in 2027. The museum, part of the Houhai Hybrid Campus, will focus on 20th and 21st-century visual and digital culture, featuring elevated volumes and a public plaza. In Barcelona, five teams including SANAA, David Chipperfield Architects, and Snøhetta are finalists for the Liceu Mar waterfront cultural venue competition. BIG has designed a multi-use stadium in Madrid for Shakira's world tour, integrating concerts and public programs. Meanwhile, the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, opened in 1998 and designed by Gollifer Associates, faces closure and potential demolition due to high costs, despite local campaigns and an online petition with nearly 40,000 signatures. In Anaheim, California, the OCVIBE development has unveiled plans for 20 acres of public open space, including parks and trails, with the first plaza opening in early 2027. These stories highlight architecture's roles in legacy, education, cultural engagement, and urban development.