Zaha Hadid will rightfully go down in history for the tremendous mark she made on architecture. But buildings weren't the only things she designed.
In fact, for the majority of her career, she worked at smaller scales, whether with painting, furniture design, or some other venture. One of her first realized projects, from 1985, consisted entirely of furniture, shelves, and other additions to a pre-existing International Style home in London at 24 Cathcart Road.
Her interest in the expanded field of design, including interiors and the objects that fill them, continued throughout her career. For some, this work indicates a crass and unapologetic commercialism. Philip Kennicott, for example, wrote for the Washington Post earlier today, "She spoke the airy language of architectural theory, with all its utopian overtones, but she vigorously branded consumer products from candles to tableware to neckties."
ln any case, her influence exceeds architecture – extending to the runway, the showroom, and even the sea. Here is a selection of some of Hadid's most notable interventions into the world of design beyond buildings:
Liquid Glacial
A series of acrylic tables designed in collaboration with David Gill Gallery, the Liquid Glacial line resembles ice formations. From 2012, this was the second collaboration with the gallery following a furniture series from 2007 that was produced for the Venice Biennale.
Alessi Tea + Coffee Set
Hadid designed several pieces for Alessi, the Italian houseware company. Many blur the line between art and function, such as a centerpiece with an undetermined program but multiple potential uses. This shiny metal coffee set is similarly ambiguous in its relation to use value, privileging the sculptural over more pedestrian concerns.
ZHA x CITCO
Hadid had a fruitful relationship with the Italian furniture brand CITCO. Among the objects produced were granite shelves, marble tables, and a strange, curving "fireplace".
Melissa Shoes
A collaboration with the Brazilian shoe brand Melissa, these moulded plastic shoes were released in 2008.
Lacoste x ZHA
Also in 2008, Hadid partnered with Lacoste to create these adventurous boots.
Pharrell Williams x ZHA x Adidas
A bit later, Hadid collaborated with the musician and contemporary Renaissance man Pharrell Williams to craft these sneakers for Adidas.
The final piece of footwear on this list comes from United Nude, the clothing company with Rem Koolhaas as its creative director. Remniscient of a Italian futurist sculpture, the bold, cantilevered shoe features chromed leather.
Manta Ray
A 21st century version of the classic love seat, this two-person chair was inspired by the shape of manta rays and designed for Sawaya and Moroni. It is manufactured in double cast aluminum.
Perhaps the only parametric swimsuit around, this serrated one piece was designed by Hadid for Viviona, Vera Wang's swimwear line.
Z-Car
A rare intervention by an architect into the automotive industry, the Z-Car was a concept car created by Hadid between 2005-8. Powered by a hydrogen core, resting on just three wells, and emitting zero carbon, this concept car would be an efficient means of urban transport, if it were ever realized.
For a group of people who tend to think a lot of about ground and foundations, architects have designed a surprising amount of yachts. This one by Hadid includes an exoskeleton that serves as "an interwoven network of supports that vary in thickness and lend a natural aesthetic to the yacht’s external appearance; evoking the organic structural systems found in nature."
Z-Island
A collaboration between Hadid and DuPont Chemicals (manufacturers of the material Corian), this kitchen island is just about as far you can get from Ikea as possible.
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Zaha Hadid’s Fashion & Architecture Legacy:
Star-architect Zaha Hadid will be remembered not just for buildings, but for fashion, too. Discover her top fashion designs, including those for Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Read The full article at http://shilpaahuja.com/fashion/designer/zaha-hadids-fashion-architecture-legacy/ via ShilpaAhuja.com
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