Top 5 Iconic Museums by Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid is celebrated as one of the leading “starchitects” of her era, recognized for her high-profile commissions in cultural institutions across the globe. The British-Iraqi architect is renowned for her bold, futuristic designs featuring dramatic lines that appear to defy gravity. The art, design, and architecture communities deeply mourned her unexpected passing on March 31, 2016, in Miami, following a heart attack.

Born in Baghdad, Iraq, Hadid studied mathematics at Beirut University before relocating to London. Her formative years coincided with the student uprisings of 1968, a defining influence on her appreciation for Soviet avant-garde design.

While studying at the Architectural Association in London, she collaborated with peers like Rem Koolhaas and Bernard Tschumi, quickly becoming synonymous with outstanding architectural talent. Unlike her contemporaries who emphasized theoretical writings, Hadid distinguished herself through her exquisite drawings.

In 1979, Hadid founded her own firm, Zaha Hadid Architects, after serving as a partner at the Office for Metropolitan Architecture with Koolhaas. In 2004, she made history by becoming the first woman to receive the prestigious Pritzker Prize for Architecture. Her accolades continued in 2012 when she was knighted by Queen Elizabeth, receiving the title Dame Hadid.

As admirers and critics reflect on her remarkable legacy, Hadid’s museum designs are particularly noteworthy for their revolutionary characteristics.

01. MAXXI, Rome

Address: Via Guido Reni, 4a, 00196 Roma RM, Italy

Phone: +39 06 320 1954

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MAXXI, which stands for Museo Nazionale delle Arti del XXI Secolo (National Museum of 21st Century Arts), is often regarded as one of Hadid’s most significant works. This contemporary art museum, located in the Flaminio quarter of Rome, slightly north of the city center, serves as a versatile venue for exhibitions and performances, much like the Whitney Museum of American Art.

With a design that elegantly integrates Rome’s historical context, Hadid employs concrete in ways reminiscent of the Pantheon, while also taking cues from the minaret of Samarra and Bernini’s columns in St. Peter’s Square. The structure resembles a spaceship landed in an otherwise conventional setting, making it a striking visual anchor in the neighborhood.

Hadid envisioned MAXXI not merely as a “building-museum,” but as an interconnected art campus where spaces overlap, connect, and encourage interaction. The design was intentional in allowing for a diverse and adaptable exhibition schedule, characterized by few fixed walls, and staircases designed to appear as though they float within the museum’s airy interior.

02. Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center

Address: 44 E 6th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202, USA

Phone: +1 513-345-8400

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The Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center marks Hadid’s first building in the United States, serving as a pivotal commission for public space. This venue exemplifies her innovative approach to designing exhibition spaces, seamlessly fusing art with the surrounding urban landscape.

The CCAC features a unique lobby that appears to float and slopes downward, while strategically placed openings in the walls provide glimpses into the various galleries. Notably, three vertical cuts in the building allow natural light to illuminate each floor, enhancing the visitor experience within a space defined not by walls, but by light and art.

CCAC is dedicated to a dynamic schedule of contemporary art exhibitions and performances, promoting engagement within regional and global artistic communities.

The museum is also recognized as the Lois & Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art.

03. Messner Mountain Museum Corones

Address: Plan de Corones, 39030 Marebbe BZ, Italy

Phone: +39 0474 501350

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The Messner Mountain Museum Corones, inaugurated on July 24, 2015, is the last of a series of six museums established on mountain tops throughout South Tyrol. Conceived by mountaineer Reinhold Messner, this museum encompasses over 1,000 square feet of exhibition space dedicated to mountain climbing traditions, history, and disciplines.

The innovative design positions the building as though it is integrated into the mountainside, instructing visitors to descend into the mountain, through caves and grottos, only to emerge on a terrace that offers breathtaking views of the Alps and Dolomites.

04. Eli and Edythe Broad Museum at Michigan State University

Address: 547 E Circle Dr, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

Phone: +1 517-884-4800

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This remarkable museum, financed by contemporary art patrons Eli and Edythe Broad, is featured in the film “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Its architecture is strikingly different from the traditional brick constructions on the Michigan State University campus, showcasing a steel and glass facade that symbolizes the modern art exhibitions housed within.

Hadid intended for the museum’s facade to portray “an ever-changing appearance that arouses curiosity yet never fully reveals its contents.” Funded by a generous $28 million donation from the Broads, the building serves as an economic driver for East Lansing, anticipated to generate over $5 million in tourism.

05. Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center

Address: 1 Heydər Əliyev prospekti, Bakı 1033, Azerbaijan

Phone: +994 12 505 60 01

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The Heydar Aliyev Center, a signature piece in Baku, Azerbaijan, symbolizes a fluid form emerging from its landscape. The smoothly crafted facade melds the museum, auditorium, and multipurpose hall into a coherent flow, representing a pinnacle of Hadid’s stylistic vision.

Notably, this center bears the name of Heydar Aliyev, a former KGB officer who led Azerbaijan amidst controversies regarding his human rights record. The inaugural exhibition, titled “Life, Death, and Beauty,” showcased innovative works from renowned artist Andy Warhol, and rotating galleries continuously feature world-class artists.