Groundbreaking works by legendary female architect – one of the world’s top four attractions now in Taiwan too

By / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Zaha Hadid, the late British-Iraqi architect, became the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004 and enjoys international acclaim in the architecture world. For many designers, her influence extends far beyond architecture—her uniquely distinctive design concepts have transcended gender and nationality. Hadid’s works can be found all over the world. 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 Taiwan’s third-largest river estuary, the Tamsui River, and featuring dual tracks for both railway and road on the same structure, the Danjiang Bridge is still under construction. Its first phase broke ground 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. The challenge of incorporating the bridge into this scenic sunset view became a key design issue. In the 2015 international design competition, the proposal by British-Iraqi female architect Zaha Hadid was selected as the winning design. Once completed, the Danjiang Bridge will become the world’s largest single-tower cable-stayed bridge.

2. South Korea – Dongdaemun Design Plaza
 
Resembling a spacecraft situated right in the heart of the city, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in South Korea features flowing curves in its construction. Whether looking at its external steel frame or interior design, the space is almost entirely free of straight lines, giving off a dynamic feel as if a UFO had landed on the ground.

The plaza is made from aluminum panels and concrete, creating a highly technological and majestic yet stable atmosphere. At night, LED lights twinkle, making it look from afar as if optical particles are flowing across the building’s exterior. During construction, the engineering team unexpectedly unearthed relics buried underground for 80 years: the “Seoul City Wall” and the “Ergate Water Gate.” Hadid decided to preserve the local historical and cultural heritage, allowing the modern technological architecture to complement the traditional cultural landscape.

3. Hong Kong – Jockey Club Innovation Tower
 
Among a sea of traditional square-shaped towers, Zaha Hadid’s “Jockey Club Innovation Tower” in Hong Kong stands out like a white organic form. With its tilted, curvaceous main structure and sleek decorative panels, it looks as though it could take flight at any moment. It’s an exceptionally eye-catching addition to the campus of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.