Sculptural Architecture : The Zaha Hadid's Approach

Abstract

ABSTRACTPrevious studies have paid special attention to sculptural architecture because it concerns about architectural composition, this paid attention is also likely to be due to the fact that sculptural architecture has been a reaction to the principles and practices of Modernism, as a result of modern practical developments in the field of construction and as an aim in itself. This paper focuses on the discipline of sculptural architecture seeking its identification and subsequently the establishment of its theoretical framework based on previous research work. The paper shows that aspects of the established theoretical framework can be clearly related to the various phases through which the construction of a given building traverses, ranging from the initial phase of motivation and concept design by the innovating architect to process of building comprehension by recipient. The developed theoretical framework is then verified by addressing Zaha Hadid’s pioneering work in this field, which is used here as case study. The application of the theoretical framework has revealed a series of patterns in Hadid’s work which may be attributed to her own architectural style. Similar results to those obtained from the theoretical framework have also been made by other observers, all of which point to the special paid attention by Hadid to modern construction methods which she used symbolically and practically confirming her liberal architectural style. The revelations demonstrate the validity of the assumptions made in the development of the theoretical framework. Finally, this paper lays down a set of guidelines for other architects who wish to apply Hadid’s approach in sculptural architecture.Keywords: sculptural architecture, Zaha Hadid .