This building was one of Zaha Hadid’s first designs to be constructed. Built in Well am Rhein, Germany and was finished in 1993. According to Hadid’s website, she wanted the structure to be a representation of a ‘movement frozen’ or ‘alert’ structure. To get this effect, she used concrete as the main building material to get the crisp and simple exterior. The lack of design detailing was purposeful and its absence helps depict this station as ‘alert’. Hadid created a sliding wall that acts as a garage door to display the trucks. This element is concealed within the surrounding exterior style until it is opened.

Like some of Hadid’s more current designs, her use of curved and bending objects is still present, though notably not as flowy. I think her overall goal with this building was to create a space that is useful while also displaying a clean-lined and direct structure that coincides with the demeanor of firefighters. Hadid designed the roof to zig-zag and capture the sounds of the moving water from the Clyde River. I think this was her way of adding movement to her ‘movement frozen’ structure.

King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) is a non-profit that focuses on ways to effectively utilize energy more efficiently. This building resides in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and was designed by Zaha Hadid. The build was finished in 2017, after her death. This project was the first of Zaha Hadid to be awarded LEED Platinum certification by the US Green Building Council because of how the building minimizes its energy consumption by responding to the environmental conditions surrounding it. Hadid designed a hexagonal prismatic structure which ultimately requires the least amount of materials by creating a “lattice of cells within a given volume” according to her website. 

Hadid also looked to a future need to expand, and effectively designed this building to accommodate exterior changes without compromising the overall exterior design. With a honeycombed, hexagonal structure, Hadid created a strong outer shell to help protect the building from the extreme weather conditions. It is clear that every aspect of this building was well-thought out to maximize its potential. The building provides natural light, increased opportunity to connect, and positively impactful building elements. The exterior shell and design resembles that of a crystal, and contrasts the desert that surrounds it.

This institute is set to be built in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The design was accepted in 2014. “Sleuk Rith” means “the power of the leaves” because dried leaves have historically been used for the documentation of history. This building will be used as a museum, research center, and a graduate school, to name a few. The most important role this building will have is a genocide memorial structure. Zaha Hadid wanted to create a structure that strayed from the “distress-invoking” from the majority of existing memorials. She also wanted to emphasize Cambodia’s culture and traditions that will help bring the community closer together. 

The design is composed of five wooden structures that are separated at the ground level, but become intertwined as the structure gets taller. The buildings intertwining symbolizes growth and strength from the dark events that occurred. All of the buildings will have their own purpose and use. The building materials are sustainably sourced wood, which gives the structure a natural and warming effect.

In 2016, Zaha Hadid revealed her winning design plans for the world’s first sustainable football stadium set to be built in Gloucestershire, England. The stadium will be constructed primarily out of sustainably sourced wood, and will be the focal point of the developing Eco Park. In contrast to existing stadiums, Forest Green Rovers will have its seating platforms and floors made out of timber, whereas these elements are normally made from steel and concrete. By utilizing timber for such a large portion of the build, the stadium is expecting to become carbon neutral or even carbon negative solely from its building materials. Wood, is not only naturally occurring and recyclable but it is also has the lowest amount of embodied carbon in any building material. It is easy to see why this stadium will have the lowest carbon-footprint by just looking at the material difference. 

This sustainable stadium also has a breath taking design, complete with Hadid’s signature curvaceous exterior. The stadium is roofed with a transparent material that will benefit the stadium by allowing turf growth but also preserves the surrounding landscape by softening and blending the structure.

Old Town was the very first neighborhood to develop in Albuquerque, so you can imagine the rich culture and history that is still present in the landmark. The very center of Old Town is where the plaza is located. There is a mixture of both traditional tourist activities and authentic cultural experiences. My favorite aspect about the plaza is the Indian trading post. The local Native Americans lineup under one of the covered sidewalks in the plaza and sell their hand-made jewelry, pottery, paintings, etc. Each piece has a story behind it, and they are always very welcoming and friendly. It is really cool to see all of the traditional adobe style buildings. One of the most stunning, in my opinion, is the San Felipe de Neri Church. This church still has the same adobe construction but, unlike those surrounding it, it has a pitched roof instead of a traditional flat roof. This church is the oldest church in Albuquerque and holds so many stories that can be learned by reading various plaques that explain some of the building’s aspects. Exploring the plaza and old town is one of the best ways to experience New Mexico.

Like other Oklahoma natives the bombing memorial holds a special place in my heart. I have personal ties to both the bombing site and the museum building. My dad was actually in the Journal Record Building, which is now the memorial museum, when the bombing happened. This building is located directly next to where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood. When I think about the bombing, I always think of the destruction and chaos. However, the purposeful design of the memorial gives all visitors the chance to reflect and peacefully remember those we lost. Each aspect of the memorial grounds has a significant purpose and meaning, even the entrance gates have the thoughtful design of the minute before and after the bomb detonated. The memorial itself stands as a physical symbol of the Oklahoma standard, of helping and putting others before yourself. Even though this site was constructed because of such a tragic and grotesque act, it reminds Oklahomans and visitors that kindness can go much further than hate.

The First National Center has been apart of OKC’s skyline since its construction in 1931. It was originally the ‘First National Bank’ until the bank went under and the building was renamed ‘The First National Center’ or building. It has a similar exterior to the Empire State Building. I affectionately call it “the big shot” because of its long aviation tower on the top of the building. The bottom floor of the building houses the old teller stations from the original bank, which has recently been considered as an historical place. 

I have a strong personal connection to this building because my dad’s office was located on the 8^th floor for the majority of my life. I loved spending time in my dad’s office. He tells me that even at a young age I would pretend I was a working lady and march around the office gathering papers from his co-workers. I remember the smell the building had, it was a mixture of antiques and coffee. The First National Center is now being renovated and converted into a hotel. I am devastated by this fact because this building houses so many great memories and experiences from my childhood. My childhood dream was to grow up and have my very own office in the First National. However, I am excited to see this building thrive with its new purpose.

This cabin was built around 1920 but was burned down about 2 months later. In 1930 the cabin was reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), but the cabin restoration was initially planned by a local Kiwanis group. They used limestone as the primary material so that the structure would blend in with the mountain. The initial purpose was to provide shelter for hikers during in climate weather on the trials. The cabin is located near Sandia Crest and faces the western side of the Sandia mountain, giving it the most breathtaking views of Albuquerque. The cabin is also a great place to watch the sunset or balloon fiesta.

My grandparents live near the base of the Sandia Mountain and we would always go to the hiking trails whenever we visited Albuquerque in the summer. When I first saw the cabin I remember looking around the inside and reading all of the names, dates, etc. that people had scribbled on the rocks. The view alone is enough to leave an impact, but the experience of hiking the trails and learning about the history that surrounds the mountain, really makes the cabin seem more like a monument than a viewing point. I have always had a sense of peace and happiness whenever I visit Kiwanis cabin and that is why it is one of my favorite places to visit.