Zaha Hadid’s BMW Central Building Redefined Modern Workspace

Rolf Fehlbaum, chairman emeritus of Vitra, discusses the visionary design of Zaha Hadid’s Vitra Fire Station, one of her most iconic early works. Completed in 1993, this groundbreaking building in Weil am Rhein, Germany, defies conventional architectural forms with its sculptural forms, sharp angles, and dramatic use of concrete. Redefining architectural boundaries, the Vitra Fire Station was Hadid’s first constructed project, marking a pivotal moment in her career and influencing generations of architects to come.

Deyan Sudjic, Director Emeritus of The Design Museum, London discovers the breathtaking London Aquatics Centre in Stratford, London, designed by the legendary architect Zaha Hadid. Known for her futuristic, fluid forms and innovative structures, Hadid’s work transforms ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences. Hadid won an architectural competition with her visionary design for the Olympic swimming pool for the London 2012 Olympics. This iconic venue is a true masterpiece of design, blending elegance, functionality, and cutting-edge architecture.

In this film, Obrist steps inside one of Zaha Hadid’s most striking architectural achievements—the Serpentine North Gallery. Known for its sharp geometries, dramatic interior lines, and signature fluidity, this building reflects Zaha Hadid's pioneering approach to architecture. Designed in 2013, the gallery was Hadid’s first permanent building in London and a powerful example of her later work—unapologetically bold and sculptural. Join HENI Talks as we explore the story behind this architectural masterpiece, its design principles, and its lasting influence on contemporary architecture.

In this film, Dr. Eugene Rogan, Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at the University of Oxford, explores Zaha Hadid's architectural masterpiece: the Investcorp Building at St Antony's College. Discover how Hadid's innovative design seamlessly integrates modernity with Oxford's historic fabric, and how its sinuous stainless-steel form unites disparate Victorian structures while also respecting the surrounding landscape, even curving around a century-old sequoia. Completed in 2015, this building now serves as the Middle East Centre, housing state-of-the-art facilities including a 117-seat lecture theatre, library, and archive spaces. Through Dr. Eugene Rogan's expert insights, this film reveals the challenges and triumphs of introducing contemporary architecture to Oxford's traditional setting.

This film explores the architecture of Zaha Hadid through the breathtaking Maggie’s Centre. Step inside a sanctuary shaped by Hadid’s signature fluid forms and discover how her innovative use of space creates a calming, uplifting environment for patients and visitors alike. Whether you're passionate about architecture, design, or the transformative power of art in healing spaces, this is a must-watch.In this film on The Architecture of Zaha Hadid, you are invited to step inside the breathtaking Maggie’s Centre, to discover how Hadid's signature fluid forms and innovative use of space create a soothing haven for patients and visitors alike.

Bold, fluid, and futuristic, Zaha Hadid’s Zaragoza Pavilion for the 2008 Expo in Spain remains one of the most daring expressions of her architectural imagination. Designed as both a bridge and a building, it embodies Hadid’s lifelong fascination with form, flow, and movement and a visitor attraction when coming to Zaragoza. The Pabellón Puente, a futuristic, gladiolus-shaped bridge designed by Zaha Hadid, serves as both a pedestrian crossing over the Ebro River and home to the Mobility City exhibition, showcasing innovations in sustainable transport. It's a striking architectural landmark and one of the main symbols of the 2008 Zaragoza Expo. In this HENI Talks short film, Luis Fernández-Galiano, Professor at the School of Architecture of Universidad Politécnica of Madrid and Director of the “AV/Arquitectura Viva” magazine. explores how the pavilion captures Hadid’s radical approach to architecture — merging engineering with emotion, and structure with sculpture.

Explore Zaha Hadid’s vision for MAXXI’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Architecture (1989-2009) in Rome. Architect Margherita Guccione, director of MAXXI’s Museum of Modern and Contemporary Architecture, reflects on Hadid’s innovative use of swooping curves, impossible angles and haunting views. Flow and drift are key concepts to the building’s design, with its dynamic, linear form echoing the streets outside and reflecting Hadid’s interest in integrating her buildings within their urban context while revitalising an existing site in the metropolis. At the same time, the organic design creates open-ended encounters with the contemporary art exhibited inside the museum.

In this HENI Talks film, we dive into the imaginative world of Sir Peter Cook's drawings, a pioneering British architect and co-founder of the avant-garde group, Archigram in conversation with Hans Ulrich Obrist. Renowned for his radical re-imaginings of urban landscapes, Cook’s vibrant artworks offer a window into cities of the future, blending architectural precision with artistic flair. With a career spanning over six decades, Sir Peter Cook (b. 1936) has been instrumental in challenging conventional architectural norms. His work, characterised by bold colours and dynamic forms, envisions cities that are both functional and fantastical. Beyond his architectural achievements, Cook’s paintings stand as independent artworks, which are celebrated worldwide.