The Salerno maritime terminal: Zaha Hadid's first posthumous project inaugurated in Italy

2016-04-26T14:05:00-04:00

On the long approach from the sea, the flowing, horizontal silhouette of this all-concrete structure, bracketed fore and aft by leaning walls, stands out from the heavyset classicized buildings along the waterfront promenade [...] Prime Minister Matteo Renzi visited the site on Sunday, calling it a masterpiece. The absence of Ms. Hadid, 65, who died on March 31 without ever seeing the finished terminal, was keenly felt both days.

The city of Salerno, some 60.5 km south of Naples, gained a major new architectural icon this week. A 50,000 sq. ft., €15 million maritime terminal, it's also the first project by ZHA to be inaugurated after their principal Zaha Hadid passed away last month.

Before the inauguration ceremony, portraits of the late architecture were plastered around the city. "Goodbye Zaha Hadid, Genius and Modernity. Inspiration and Transformation, Light that takes shape," they read. "Salerno will proudly care for and cherish the Maritime Terminal.” Half of the 400-person firm reportedly travelled to Salerno for the ceremony.

Actually, rather than a new project, the Salerno terminal was twelve years in the making, with contractor bankruptcies and other financial woes creating major delays. As such, the building was designed the old way: while computers were beginning to be used, the project was designed mainly with models and drafting.

Paola Cattarin, the project architect, describes to the Times: "It w...

Zaha Hadid Architects to continue under Patrik Schumacher's leadership

2016-04-20T17:30:00-04:00

Zaha Hadid Architects issued a formal statement announcing that the firm will continue to move forward, with Patrik Schumacher acting as de facto leader. In addition to finishing the 36 projects they had started or had under contract before Dame Hadid died on March 31st, ZHA will also be taking on new work. According to The New York Times, in addition to opening new offices in Mexico City and Dubai, the firm "also hopes to push further into aviation, having won a contract for a new airport in Beijing." In tomorrow's episode of Archinect Sessions, Schumacher will share his personal and professional reflections on Hadid's legacy, and elaborate on how he'll carry Hadid's "DNA" and his p arametricist ideas into new arenas.

“We want to tell the world that we’re still a viable, vibrant address for major work of cultural importance," Schumacher told the NYT. “My ambition is to become more visible as a leader of the field to clients."

He also stated that he wants to continue moving forward on ...

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The Salerno maritime terminal: Zaha Hadid's first posthumous project inaugurated in Italy

Zaha Hadid Architects to continue under Patrik Schumacher's leadership