For the final Pritzker Laureate Lecture, Zaha Hadid joins Jonathan D. Solomon, director of architecture, interior architecture, and designed objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, in conversation.
Zaha Hadid, founder of Zaha Hadid Architects, was awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and is internationally known for her built, theoretical, and academic work. Each of her projects builds on over 30 years of exploration and research in the interrelated fields of urbanism, architecture, and design. Hadid’s interest lies in the rigorous interface between architecture, urbanism, landscape, and geology, as her practice integrates natural topography and human-made systems, leading to innovation with new technologies. In both 2010 and 2011, Hadid’s designs were awarded the Stirling Prize by the RIBA. UNESCO has named Hadid an Artist for Peace, the Republic of France honored her with the Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, andTime magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. In 2012, Zaha Hadid was made a dame commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, and the RIBA recently announced Hadid will be the recipient of the 2016 Royal Gold Medal.
Jonathan D. Solomon, AIA, is director of architecture, interior architectur, and designed objects at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and editor of the art and design journal Forty-Five. His recent book, Cities without Ground, was reviewed by publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, and Der Spiegel. Solomon edited the influential series 306090 Books for over a decade and served as curator of the U.S. Pavilion at the 2010 Venice Architecture Biennale. Solomon holds a BA from Columbia University and a MA from Princeton University, and he is a licensed architect in the State of Illinois.
