10 iconic Zaha Hadid buildings that you can visit

Anyone passionate about architecture knows about the legendary Queen of the Curve, Zaha Hadid. But did you know you don’t need to see these impressive structures online? If you want to bask in their full glory, they are just a trip away.

Vitra Fire Station

When and Where?

The Vitra Fire Station is located at Müllheimer Street, Germany, and you can visit it every day from 10 to 6.

Right on the border of France and Switzerland, the Vitra Fire Station was the first building Hadid ever built. While it was once a fire station, it now houses design and architecture showrooms.

The Lois and Richard Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art

When and Where?

This building is at 44 East Sixth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Visitors can drop by Wednesday to Sunday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.

The Rosenthal Center is considered one of the most important buildings in the U.S. It was Hadid’s first architectural project in the States and includes a jigsaw-like interior for unique exhibition spaces.

MAXXI: National Museum of 21st Century Arts

When and Where?

You can check out MAXXI by visiting Via Guido Reni, Rome. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday between 11 and 7.

The MAXXI is a fantastic example of blending the classic with the contemporary and is a superb spot for some impressive interior design tips for your next project. It won the 2010 Stirling Prize for Architecture and includes curved walls and open ceilings to filter natural light into the space.

Guangzhou Opera House

When and Where?

The opera house is located at 1 Zhujiang W. Road, Guangzhou, China, and the best way to experience it is to see a show.

The so-called Double Pebble boasts a seamless appearance perfect for performances, while the thousands of ceiling lights create a stunning atmospheric feeling when the house lights are dimmed.

London Aquatics Center

When and Where?

Unsurprisingly, the London Aquatics Center is in London, so put the E20 2AQ postcode into your navigation app. It is open between 6 and 10 on weekdays and 6 and 5 on weekends.

You may recognise the London Aquatics Center from the 2012 Olympic Games, where it hosted swimming and diving competitions. It’s now open for public use, so you can bask in the stunning design and feel like an olympian yourself.

Riverside Museum

When and Where?

You can find the Riverside Museum in Glasgow, Scotland at 100 Pointhouse Road. It is open every day from 10 to 5.

The Riverside Museums was Hadid’s first architectural contribution in the UK. It features a z-shape and zigzagging panelled ridges that promote the historical connection between the city and the waterfront on which it lies.

Galaxy SOHO

When and Where?

Tap Dongcheng, Xiaopaifang Hu Tong, Beijing into your maps to visit Galaxy SOHO anytime.

Galaxy SOHO combines multiple materials, including concrete, glass, and stainless steel to create an alluring style inspired by the capital. The internal floors are remarkably open-spaced so visitors never feel confined to pay homage to traditional Chinese design and architecture while still maintaining a modern feel.

Heydar Aliyev Center

When and Where?

Located at 1 Heydar Aliyev Avenue, Baku, you can visit Tuesday to Friday from 11 to 7 and on weekends between 11 and 6.

Hadfid took inspiration from Azerbaijan gaining independence in the 1990s, and the Heydar Aliyev Center is the optimal representation of how the nation modernized after leaving the Soviet Union. Inside, visitors can check out art exhibitions,  a museum, and even catch concerts when they come around to provide diverse functionality for locals and travellers.

Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

When and Where?

Art enthusiasts can visit 547 E. Circle Drive, Michigan, between 10 and 6 from Wednesday to Sunday.

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum catches the eye by contrasting elegantly against the redbrick structures in the area. Its minimalist style was completed in 2010 and houses generations of classic art, from the Greeks and Romans to European and American features, such as prints. It is free to visit, but you must make an appointment beforehand. 

Beijing Daxing International Airport

When and Where?

You can visit this airport anytime you like. It’s located in the Daxing District, Beijing, China.

Airports like Beijing Daxing International are ideal for impressing visitors when they land. Its starfish shape makes it unique in the airport architecture world and demonstrates how these places needn’t be stressful, hectic spots. Rather, they are another means to celebrate the worldwide connection and design’s impact on the lives of every one of the 45 million people who travel through.

Take a Trip

These Zaha Hadid buildings are a fantastic way to embrace culture and even get inspiration for your interior design to encourage you to try something unique and innovative.