Zaha Hadid Architects designed the conference center complex Aliyev in Baku, Azerbaijan, completed in 2012. The white roof structure folds away from the fluid landscape to cover various building functions. It contains a museum, auditorium, and multi-purpose room. The white fiberglass reinforced polyester envelope peels away and stacks in layers. Inside, this takes the form of curved layers of wood.
The soaring curves and wrapping sweeps speak to the natural site, but do not seem to address the surrounding city. Indeed, people were evicted from their homes to make room for the site. Dozens of protesters and journalists were jailed. Hadid’s idealic, award-winning form therefore fittingly clashes with existing image culture, which we often see with modern Chinese buildings. The computer rendering looks spectacular, but how important is it truly as a building?
(CMoravec– flickr/creative commons license)
(CMoravec– flickr/creative commons license)
(Francisco Anzola– flickr/creative commons license)
(CMoravec– flickr/creative commons license)
(CMoravec– flickr/creative commons license)
(CMoravec– flickr/creative commons license)
(Francisco Anzola– flickr/creative commons license)
