The sudden death of Dame Zaha Hadid could not also mean the end of Zaha Hadid Architects. With major projects still ongoing all over the world, the firm had to keep things running strong, focusing on the future while managing grief. After working with Zaha for nearly thirty years, Patrik Schumacher has now taken over leadership at the firm, and joins us on the podcast to discuss what it was like collaborating with her "killer instinct", and how he can continue honoring the "DNA" of her work.
Listen to episode 61 of Archinect Sessions, "ZHA after Zaha":
14 Comments
Most people don't realize the teams of "star"-architects are as central to the work if not even moreso than the " star" architects who are busy lecturing, presenting, and meeting with external audiences. ZHA will be fine post ZH. Much of the recent work is likely designed and executed by others.
bathroom wall - the noho star
Schumacher is an interesting guy, very complex, like his work. He definitely gave a good impression of what it was like in their early years. Rarely leaving the office before midnight etc. The most amusing tidbit was the pulling drawings through the Xerox machine while it was copying to get the "smear and curve" effect. Rather than deconstruction, maybe that period should be called distortionism.
The operation seems in good hands--it's true that many if not all starchitecture firms treat their stars as traveling salesmen while the operation runs. The question is in branding, do you continue the name or create something new? How about The Architects Formerly Known As Zaha.
great interview. well done amelia and paul. i think patrik really represented himself and ZHA well. i wish for the best for you all while you work through these changes.
nice interview. Schumacher is visionary and confident!
Did I hear someone sniffling near the end of the interview? ;(
Donna.
Yes, it broke my heart when Ken asked "How are you doing?" and Patrik said he hasn't adjusted to the near-constant contact he had with Zaha for the last 27 years: when the phone would ring it was always her. <tears up>
It's a very honest and touching interview after a very sad event.
A really nice humble conversation.
I was touched when Patrik described Zaha's process of making 2-dimensional gestures and then how she trusted the people who she worked with to accurately translate them into three dimensional forms. It was nice to hear how her "weakness" created opportunities for so many.
I was also intrigued by Patrik's vision for scaling up the office. In a way it reminded me of when FOG was scaling up to maintain control of the vision and quality of their work, after hiccups with some major projects.
Good fortune to ZHA as they evolve with this sudden transition.
Great interview donna, ken, paul, amelia. I was left with a good impression of Patrick, which I didnt quite get the last time you spoke with him. I was feeling the same thing Donna when he said that about the phone. Such a sad moment. It would be great if they are able to go forward with the vision he outlined, definitely rooting for them. I have been hearing stories of companies sending out emails to the office staff to poach the ZHA talent within a day of her passing. Architects can be a pretty cannibalistic bunch I suppose, but I hope its not true.
I really wasn't sure you guys would like this one...I need to go listen.
Sadness aside, after the interview I do feel very optimistic that ZHA will continue to do groundbreaking, influential work under Patrik and other firm leaders' guidance. Architecture is a long career; there is time for ZHA to reboot and get even better.
really excellent interview / remembrance. It's wonderful to hear about the development of ZHA as a business and community, without the nonsense argot ('parametricism' etc) so often associated with the work.
Many great moments here, but I was particularly fond of his description of design iteration as a "flourish of alternatives" -- such a poetic way to summarize the practice of design at its best.
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