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New London Architecture (NLA) honours Zaha Hadid as ‘New Londoner of the Year’

The New London Architecture awards, held at the Guildhall in the City, honoured Zaha Hadid as ‘New Londoner of the Year “for her contributions to the London design industry through her work, both in the UK and abroad, and her role as a champion of design to both the government and the general public”.

“It is an honour to receive this year’s New Londoner Award. With its mission to bring people together to shape a better city, New London Architecture is a vital forum for debate and catalyst for ingenuity” said Hadid. “The majority of work in London is corporate, which sees the private domain having a tremendous impact on the city.  This must be discussed and considered. Housing is also a key issue that needs radical studies and research. With Peter Murray leading the way, NLA is at the forefront of these debates.”

Hadid moved to London 43 years ago to study at the Architectural Association. “My own work developed entirely because I live in London – the city has traditionally given a platform to those from around the world who want to research and innovate. London has always welcomed and encouraged a tremendous degree of experimentation” explains Hadid. “What is very important to me as an architect is the exceptional knowledge and skills of the city’s engineers and consultants. There is uniqueness to London – the education, the amount of research and invention. Anything you want, you can find someone in London with experience to advise you. At the beginning of my career, that was particularly important.”

“London always inspires projects that are unpredictable. There are still all these quirky situations within the city. Its extreme adjacencies are what make the city so unique. London is a great city that has become very layered with traditions, histories and cultures. Unlike most European cities, there are still large gaps in the city that allow for major urban interventions. Looking at the site for the Olympics, for example, 20 years ago, we researched how London could be developed towards the east. It’s fascinating to see this now reality. There are so many sites in London that offer the potential to do some very positive things with some interesting solutions.”

New London Architecture website

 Zaha Hadid Architects' London Projects

Serpentine Sackler Gallery (2013)
The Serpentine Sackler Gallery gives new life to The Magazine, a former 1805 gunpowder store in London’s Kensington Gardens. An extension with an almost temporary feel has been built adjacent to the solid brick structure of the neoclassic 1805 building now renovated as a space for art; enlarging the cultural programs of this renowned London institution.  The new restaurant complements the calm and solid, neoclassical building with a light, transparent, dynamic and distinctly contemporary space of the 21st century described by AA Gill of the Sunday Times as “one of the most inspiringly beautiful dining rooms in London, in Europe, in the world.”
Serpentine Galleries website

London Aquatics Centre (2011)
Ten new world records were set in the Aquatics Centre during London 2012, with 1.5 million spectators visiting the building throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games - voting it the best venue of the London Olympics. But the centre was built for its legacy to London it has now become a very popular facility for East London. Reported by the Guardian to be “the most jaw-dropping municipal swimming pool in the world. From the curved wall of grass that encloses the lower levels to the swooping wave of a roof, this organic-looking structure beckons you in… it is not until you reach the cathedral-like interior of the main pool hall that you realise the extraordinary skill of the architect. Anyone can now swim in it for around the same entrance fee as other local baths. It is a great legacy of the Olympics.” Since opening to the public in March 2014, more than a million people have visited the Aquatics Centre for swimming and diving.
London Aquatics Centre website

Roca London Gallery (2011)
The white concrete interior of the Roca London Gallery appears to have been sculptured by water; generating a sequence of dynamic spaces to reflect the values on which all of Roca’s work is based: a commitment to sustainability, innovation, design, wellness and water conservation. Since opening in 2011, the Roca London Gallery has become a hub for design in west London, hosting exhibitions presentations, seminars and debates.
Roca London Gallery website

Evelyn GraceAcademy (2010)
Awarded the Stirling Prize by the RIBA in 2011, the Evelyn Grace Academy opened in Brixton in 2010. The design appreciates its students as valuable members of our community - and treats them as such; encouraging them to take ownership of their school. The academy’s students and staff are committed and ambitious, with academic and sporting successes - together with very popular extra-curricular clubs including computer coding and music. The Evelyn Grace Academy provides outstanding educational facilities that inspire its 1,200 students each day; and are used by the entire community each evening.
Evelyn Grace Academy website

Lilas Installation for the Serpentine Gallery (2007)
Commissioned, designed and fabricated in just three weeks as a temporary venue for their summer party while the Serpentine Gallery’s 2007 pavilion was under construction, the tensile fabric structures of the installation were informed the organic geometries of flower petals and arranged like parasols around the centre of the space.

Serpentine Pavilion (2000)
Designed to be installed for week and host the Serpentine Gallery’s 30th anniversary fundraising dinner, the pavilion proved so popular as a venue for talks and events, it remained for three months – inspiring the gallery’s annual pavilion program. The following year the pavilion was transported to Stratford-upon Avon and renamed the Summer House for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s summer season.
Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2000 website