Zaha Hadid Architects

Interview with Lars Teichmann

- Can you tell us about Zaha Hadid and your role within the practice.

T: Zaha Hadid is probably one of the most impressive architectural offices around the world. It is very well known - even her name has become a brand name as well. I'm one of her associates and I am usually one of the projects directors, overlooking and running a number of projects.

- Why is Zaha Hadid so well known around the world?

T: I think because we are always pushing the boundaries of how architecture is perceived and what architecture could be. What spaces are, its mix of functionality and the formal aspects of space.

Youtube : JVC Hotel Animation

Trying to always be on top of things and trying to push the boundaries is what we are known for. It kind of results in what somebody said: ''We don't have a style''. I think that's probably how best to describe us.

- What sort of concepts do you try to achieve in the architecture of Zaha Hadid?

T: I think we are very much about embracing all different influences and trying to be at the forefront of development. We are working very much in a paperless environment and right from the beginning, are working on computers, in 3D, things like that, so we are always adapting to the latest technology as well as all the influences that the city can give you, and the other disciplines can give you.

- You just mentioned ''paperless'' when did the shift from doing everything on paper to computers occur?

T: I think that Computer Aided Design (CAD) as they call it, or use to call it ''now they are shifting names'' this kind of concept of working with computers is probably just about 15 years old, when it really hit the scene. To this day I think it is absolutely unthinkable to work in any different way. I mean hardly any of us work without it and certainly for us it would be impossible to work because our mode of production is very much based on the abilities that the computer can give you.

- Are there any things that makes Zaha Hadid stand out from the rest?

T: We have some recognisable style and brand, which, probably other offices either already have or are trying to achieve. I think that sets us apart and we are trying to give solutions, which are sustainable and meaningful and not just formal expressions.

- So what is this style and brand that Zaha Hadid has?

T: The question about brand and ''recognisability'' of our designs is always apparent. We get approached by people and press and they say they've just seen a competition entry and knew immediately it was from your office.

Interestingly enough, it is not because we are repeating ourselves or doing the same tricks all over again, it is because we have a certain way to solve things, to approach things, to push boundaries, which is just recognisable. It is almost like an under lying theme, which sets us apart and which is, I think, how people appreciate our work.

- Could you describe how the structure of the firm works?

T: Our office is structured into project teams and groups. Each project has a team that works very closely together in a studio atmosphere. There is a very low hierarchy and there is direct connection between people.

There is no rigid structure between say production teams, competition teams, and furniture design teams. It is a more fluid organisation. People are able to move around and jump around, do different things. Even though they might have just done a project, they might be involved in a competition, feeding back on the more functional aspect of things.

- Could you describe the process of getting the concept of a building to the design of the final product?

T: It is quite a complex and tiresome procedure that is quite hard to explain! But basically we like to start with three media at the same time.

So we have a 2D drawing on the computer, we have someone modelling in 3D right away and usually some one doing a physical model, or trying to produce a physical model from the 3D information in the computer. For the 3D model, we do not use it as a representation tool of what we have done or designed. It is very much a design tool for us to actually work on the piece formally, but also functionally, trying to shape it. The process we go through involves much iteration between these three media where Zaha and Patrick (A partner of the firm) can give comments and direction, steer the project and feed it back into the team where finally a product emerges. It is more of an evolutionary process rather than a top down, master sketch idea. It is often that Zaha gives an idea, a sketch, or has an approach we should try.

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, maybe it has to be adjusted. It is fluid along the way, but eventually a project emerges.

- So Zaha actually oversees the projects going on? Does she work on all the projects?

T: Pretty much, but there is also Patrick Schumacher, the partner in the office and they work closely together. Sometimes he covers the project more than she does, distributing the work. But in principle, she influences all the work that is going on. It is difficult to work on so many projects but it usually results in somebody briefing her, giving her first ideas about what the project could be, what the approach could be, she will then respond to it, and give her opinion and steer it.

Sometimes, if there are direct commissions she will talk to the client and get some initial idea and then give it directly to the team who takes it on and tries to work in that direction.

- Can you tell us some of your high-light project in the past?

T: My personal high-light project has to be the project in Germany which I have been working on for a couple of years which finished in 2005. It is called the BMW central building, which is basically an administration building for a factory in Germany.

The beauty of the project was that we could finally, really combine our formal dynamic language in our architecture with the very functional surroundings of a factory and merge these two into an organism of office, central areas for a factory where people can meet and communicate, with open spaces, restaurant - all these things coming together. It was a very interesting project because the client was very supportive from the beginning, BMW, pushing the project along and it was a quick and fast project. It was a great thing to work on and the result was stunning.

- Are there any future projects coming up which you are allowed to tell us about?

T: Personally the project I am currently involved in is a large development in Dubai. It consists of three towers called The Signature Towers with a very interesting silhouette. They are not straight towers but are rather trying to overcome the idea of a vertical extrusion. It is a very interesting project, very ambitious and never been done before to that extent. We're trying to be on site in the next year or so. It's hard work but its big fun. On the other hand, there is a project here in London, which is completely different. It is one of the city academies, which is a secondary school. It is a very simple project in a way, very straightforward.

It is great to work on as you are contributing to the regeneration of an area, the idea that education in the long run could shift and change the city as such, to get rid of some of the problems that London arguable has. It is fun on a different level. It might not be as architecturally challenging in the first place but it's great to be part of the project and I'm look forward to seeing it being built.

Website : http://www.zaha-hadid.com

Written by Tai Hollingsbee