The Futuristic Architecture: Structures Designed by Zaha Hadid in the UAE

Investors in the United Arab Emirates like to impress the public. A lot of things in the UAE are superlative: the tallest building, the largest aquarium and the tallest Ferris wheel in the world. However, not everything is about size in the UAE. It is also the promised land for renowned architects with ambitious designs that other countries would have rejected. The UAE’s desert land is just the place for anything extraordinary.

Zaha Hadid Architects, a British architecture and design firm, is one such famous company whose projects take pride of place in the UAE. Zaha Hadid was a famous architect. She founded the firm in 1980 and gave it her name. Read on to find out about projects of Zaha Hadid in UAE.

• About Zaha Hadid
• Zaha Hadid's Designs in the UAE
  
• Sheikh Zayed Bridge
  
• Signature Towers
  
• The Opus by Omniyat
  
• BEEAH Group Headquarters
  
• Aljada Central Hub
  

About Zaha Hadid

Born in Iraq, Zaha Hadid studied mathematics at the American University of Beirut. Then she moved to London to study architectural design before founding her own world-famous firm. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious global award for an architect.

People sometimes called Zaha Hadid the “Queen of the Curve” for the signature style of her flowing designs where there are no straight lines. The buildings by Zaha Hadid and her team are examples of deconstructivism and futuristic parametric design in architecture. Zaha Hadid used to say: “There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?”

Zaha Hadid Architects has completed over 1,000 projects in more than 40 countries. You can find their designs in London, Copenhagen, Berlin, New York, Baku, Rome as well as in the UAE. Just go to Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah to enjoy the structures designed by Zaha Hadid. Zaha Hadid died in 2016, but her firm continues to work on new spectacular projects.

Zaha Hadid's Designs in the UAE

What is interesting about Zaha Hadid projects in UAE? Zaha Hadid, the government of the United Arab Emirates and its investors are united by their rejection of traditional approaches. They use cutting edge technologies and unconventional materials and shapes to create the most unusual structures. Naturally, Zaha Hadid Architects has successfully completed several projects with unique compositions. Still, some of Zaha Hadid’s designs were too unconventional even for the UAE. These concepts weren’t approved.

Read on to find out about the most outstanding Zaha Hadid’s buildings in the UAE.

Sheikh Zayed Bridge

Sheikh Zayed Bridge was one of the first structures designed by Zaha Hadid in Abu Dhabi,  UAE. It was opened in 2010. Sheikh Zayed was the founding father of the United Arab Emirates and its first President. He served as the Emir of Abu Dhabi from 1966 to 2004. The bridge named in honour of the founder of the UAE was to symbolise the connection between the past and the future.

The work on this project took 10 years. The actual construction was completed in just three years, but the preliminary designs and modelling took a lot of time. It was definitely worth it as the Sheikh Zayed Bridge is now one of the most remarkable symbols of Abu Dhabi. Zaha Hadid designed a steel and concrete bridge to look like sand dunes. The effect is attributable primarily to the asymmetrical arches. 

Signature Towers

Signature Towers, or Dancing Towers, was a project of Zaha Hadid for Dubai based on a unique complex of dancing skyscrapers. The concept included three intertwining towers, a new headquarters for the Dubai Financial Market, a large platform for retail and a pedestrian bridge. Some people said that the towers resembled interweaving rays of the sun, while others perceived the silhouettes of oriental dancers. It is highly likely that Zaha Hadid drew inspiration from nature. If sand dunes served as inspiration for the Sheikh Zayed bridge, here the architect was impressed by forests and swaying trees. Each tower moved in its own direction, illustrating the idea that architecture is frozen music.

The presentation of the project took place in 2006 in the Guggenheim Museum in New York at a Zaha Hadid exhibition. Dubai Properties, the developer of Jumeirah Beach Residence, could have got the Signature Towers project. However, it was never implemented, even though an artificial peninsula by the Dubai Creek was ready to host the towers.

The Opus by Omniyat

This project by Zaha Hadid in Dubai was much luckier. The Opus is a multi-purpose stunning building in Dubai that pushes the boundaries of the possible. The project’s investors claim that only Zaha Hadid and her team could help them visualise The Opus as a structure with great cult potential.

Located within Burj Khalifa district, The Opus represents a glass cube with a twisted hole in the middle. You'll find it fascinating both on the inside and outside. Zaha Hadid created everything here, from the design drawings and specifications to the futuristic interiors. It must be said Zaha Hadid is not only famous for her buildings, for this project she even designed the furniture herself for the first and only time in her career. 

The Opus will be home to the ME Dubai hotel, another example of Zaha Hadid’s design. There are also luxurious residential units, commercial properties and some of the best restaurants in Dubai. The commissioning of The Opus is scheduled for Q1 2023. Interestingly, buildings by Zaha Hadid are also commercially successful. Omniyat, the project's developer, announced that it had sold 80% of the properties in Zaha Hadid’s building by November 2022.

BEEAH Group Headquarters

Are there anywhere Zaha Hadid structures besides Dubai and Abu Dhabi? Opened in spring 2022, BEEAH Group's new headquarters is located near the company's recycling facility in Sharjah. Zaha Hadid designed a building that resembles two sand dunes surrounding the courtyard. The astonishing dune-like structure also provides natural ventilation of the whole building in winter.

Zaha Hadid intended the design to be sustainable. In summer light-coloured facades prevent overheating inside the headquarters, while the glazed surfaces maximise the natural lighting. A nearby solar array and BEEAH Group’s recycling facility power the whole building. Thanks to the wide range of sustainable solutions, the project meets LEED Platinum standards. Some architects even refer to this design by Zaha Hadid as “a benchmark” for future workplaces.

The building consists of two dunes and has two wings. The first wing hosts public facilities. Here you will find an education and training centre, a gallery, an auditorium and a spacious lobby. You can also visit the offices of the company’s directors. Other staff occupy the second wing, which is closed to the public.

Aljada Central Hub

Aljada Central Hub is another one of the buildings by Zaha Hadid Architects in Sharjah, UAE. An entertainment facility, it has been under construction since 2018. Soon facilities, public spaces and gardens will appear over the 65,000 square metres of Aljada Central Hub. Hopefully, the project will be completed by 2025.

As was the case in many other projects, Zaha Hadid found her inspiration in the natural world. Here, she tried to mimic the moment where a water droplet meets the earth's surface. The tower in the centre represents the droplet, while the artificial ponds around it resemble splashes. 

In a Nutshell

In conclusion, lots of famous buildings of uae were made by Zaha Hadid. Zaha Hadid Architects has contributed numerous outstanding buildings to the UAE. All the designs are always based on three principles: sophisticated exterior, practical features and comfort. You can't miss any of the buildings as each one of them is a unique art form.

Find out more about Dubai's most famous buildings in this article.

Cover photo: Fearandloathingindubai