Sarah Green is a Lecturer in the University of Liverpool’s School of Architecture
“The news that Zaha Hadid passed away was delivered by a colleague. He entered the office to make the announcement and then walked back out again, which sort of unintentionally amplified the shock. Still, I feel a sense of disbelief at the news, a huge sadness; near and far all at the same time.
My relationship with Zaha was nostalgic. I credit her with encouraging me to complete my UCAS form back in 2002 – or at least her paintings did, with their dynamic lines and seemingly impossible rotated geometry.
Back when I first learned of her work, much of it was unbuilt, existing within the shattered planes of her artwork. I compiled an almanac of journals and glossy books as her ‘real life’ architecture emerged. A visit to the Serpentine Sackler Gallery with architect friends felt like a pilgrimage, as we slurped cocktails and bathed in ethereal white light as it slid down from the ceiling and off the curling, curving walls.
The fact that Zaha was female was much more relevant then to me, as a female architecture student, than it is now. Now, I see her strength and power and a prismatic array of unimaginable architecture, and achievements that are the mark of her being not just a great female architect, but a great architect completely. Hearing about her fiery personality was only an indicator of her passion.
The news of her death feels almost like a defeat in a world where there are few to compare her to. But remembering her legacy and ambition is a reminder of what can truly be achieved in an industry where the odds will always be a challenging factor. Zaha had so much more to bring to architecture and she will forever be an inspiration to me and many many others.”