17 Essential Zaha Hadid Buildings: A Guide to the Queen of the Curve's Masterpieces

Architectural Digest has published a curated list of 17 buildings by the late architect Zaha Hadid, highlighting her most significant and visually striking works. Hadid, known as the 'Queen of the Curve,' was celebrated for her swooping, sinuous designs that challenged conventional architectural forms. The list includes iconic projects such as the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku, Azerbaijan; the MAXXI museum in Rome, Italy; the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics; and the Guangzhou Opera House in China. Each building exemplifies her signature style, characterized by fluid lines and futuristic aesthetics. The selection aims to showcase the breadth of her career, from early experimental works to later large-scale commissions. Hadid's legacy as a pioneering architect, the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004, is underscored by these structures, which continue to inspire and influence contemporary architecture. The list serves as an essential guide for those seeking to understand her impact on the field.