Zaha Hadid Awarded Title of Dame for Her Work in Architecture

Zaha Hadid was just awarded the title of “Dame” for her services in architecture. The honor and new title (officially Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) were given as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Birthday Jubilee celebration on Saturday, June 16th. Hadid, who is arguably the most notable female architect in the world, was also the first female recipient of the Pritzker Prize in 2004 and the winner of the Stirling Prize in 2010 and 2011. One of her most recent projects is the Aquatics Center in Olympic Park, which features a wave-shaped roof and sustainable construction strategies.
Zaha Hadid was awarded the title of Dame this past weekend in honor of her services in architecture, which includes a number of projects completed in the UK. Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) projects in the UK include Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre in Kirkcaldy (2006), Evelyn Grace Academy in London (2010), Riverside Museum in Glasgow (2011) and London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games. The MAXXI: Italian National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome was awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects’ highest accolade – the Stirling Prize – in 2010. ZHA’s Evelyn Grace Academy won the Stirling Prize in 2011.

Hadid was one of 1,064 recipients of the new title and one of 498 women who were recognized for their services on the Honours List. Also joining Hadid on the list for their services in architecture were Jerome Frost, Head of Design and Regeneration for the Olympic Delivery Authority who received an OBE; Dr Lori Barbara McElroy, Director of Sustainability who was awarded an MBE for services to sustainable building design; and Francesca Berriman, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists who also received an MBE.
On receiving her title, Dame Zaha Hadid commented: “It is a tremendous honour for me to receive this award. I would like to thanks all my colleagues and clients for their hard work and support. I am delighted that architecture has been recognised in this way. My father went to the London School of Economics in the 1930s, and everything he learned at the time is why I have always leaned towards the UK.”