Masterpiece by Legendary Female Architect Among World’s Top Four Attractions, Now Also in Taiwan

By MOOK Travel Editor Team

Zaha Hadid, the late Iraqi-British architect, became the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and is internationally renowned in the field of architecture. For many designers, her influence extends beyond architecture—her distinctive design concepts have transcended gender and nationality. Hadid’s works are spread across the globe. Below are some of the new landmarks she created in Asia, including Taiwan’s ongoing construction project: the Danjiang Bridge.

1. Taiwan – Danjiang Bridge
 
Spanning the mouth of Taiwan’s third-largest river, the Tamsui River, and featuring the island’s second combined railway and road structure, the Danjiang Bridge has been under construction since the first phase began in 2014. The Tamsui sunset is a classic nostalgic sight for Taiwanese people and one of the must-visit spots in the Greater Taipei area. One of the design challenges for the Danjiang Bridge was how to integrate the bridge into this picturesque sunset scene. In the 2015 international design competition, the proposal by Iraqi-British female architect Zaha Hadid was selected, and once completed, the Danjiang Bridge will become the world’s largest single-tower cable-stayed bridge.

2. South Korea – Dongdaemun Design Plaza
 
Resembling a spaceship, this building stands in the heart of the city. The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in South Korea features flowing curves, with almost no straight lines visible in its exterior steel frame or interior design, creating a dynamic space that looks as if a UFO has landed on the ground.

The plaza is constructed with aluminum panels and concrete, giving off an atmosphere of high technology and majestic solidity. At night, LED lights twinkle, making it appear as though optical particles are flowing along the building's exterior. During construction, the engineering team unexpectedly unearthed an 80-year-old buried relic—the “Seoul City Wall” and the “Second Water Gate.” Hadid decided to preserve the local historical and cultural elements, allowing the modern technological architecture to harmonize with the traditional cultural landscape.

3. Hong Kong – Jockey Club Innovation Tower
 
Among a sea of traditional square towers, the Jockey Club Innovation Tower designed by Zaha Hadid resembles a white organic form. Its tilted, curving main structure paired with streamlined decorative panels gives the impression of a building ready to take flight, standing out strikingly on the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.