Zaha Hadid Foundation turns architect’s former London headquarters into new arts venue

The former London headquarters of Zaha Hadid’s architectural practice is getting ready for a new chapter as a public cultural venue. The Zaha Hadid Foundation is transforming the Grade II-listed Victorian schoolhouse in Clerkenwell into a space concentrated on architecture, design and the arts.

Former studio to become public cultural space

It is situated at 10 Bowling Green Lane, the building served as the home of Hadid’s studio for over 30 years. Studio KA has refurbished the ground floor, with changes made to improve movement through the building while retaining significant original features.

The renovated place is set to open to the public next month.

Foundation plans exhibitions and public programmes

The opening programme will showcase a collection-based exhibition concentrated on Hadid’s stage and set designs. The exhibition is curated by Catherine Howe and Libby Sellers.

The venue will also have an 11-minute video installation by London-based artist LionHeart. Pulitzer Prize-winning illustrator Mona Chalabi will contribute a timeline analyzing Hadid’s life, work and influence.

The refurbished building will offer galleries and display areas as well as a learning space and lecture hall. These facilities are made to accommodate exhibitions, talks, workshops and creative residencies in the future.

Original details retained in refurbishment

The renovation has preserved elements connected with both the Victorian building and Hadid’s time there.

Details introduced in Hadid’s occupation have also been retained, which includes the Z-shaped door pulls she implemented.

The wider refurbishment has a careful approach to the Grade II-listed building. Furniture and objects created by Zaha Hadid Design are also part of the refurbished interiors.

Opening exhibition explores Hadid’s performance work

The Foundation’s initial collection-based exhibition will focus on Hadid’s work for stage and set design. Curated by Catherine Howe and guest curator Libby Sellers, it examines her work across areas such as dance, opera and pop music.

The programme includes projects linked with collaborations and productions ranging from work with choreographer Rosemary Butcher to the Music Video Pavilion in Groningen, the Pet Shop Boys’ Nightlife World Tour and Mozart’s Così fan tutte at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Foundation introduces new identity

Along with the new venue, the Zaha Hadid Foundation has launched a fresh visual identity created by Amsterdam-based design studio Experimental Jetset.

The identity uses a flexible typographic system based on a distorting grid, enabling letters and compositions to change in different applications.

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Symposium to mark new chapter

The Foundation will join the Architectural Association and Serpentine for 89° of Zaha Hadid, a two-day symposium set for October 30 and 31 across their respective London venues. The second day coincides with what would have been Hadid’s 76th birthday.

"We're thrilled to see this next evolution for the Foundation at 10 Bowling Green Lane, from what was Zaha's home base to a new home for architecture and design in London," Zaha Hadid Foundation director Aric Chen stated.

Rana Hadid, Chair of the Foundation’s Trustees, mentioned that the intention is to “preserve her legacy while carrying her ideas forward.”

The Zaha Hadid Foundation was founded by Hadid in 2013, before her passing in 2016. The opening of the former studio as a public venue will offer the Foundation a new setting for exhibitions, learning, talks and other programmes associated with architecture, design and the arts.

Source: Dezeen and designboom

FAQs:

1. Where is the new Zaha Hadid Foundation venue?

The venue is situated at 10 Bowling Green Lane in Clerkenwell, London.

2. What will the new venue focus on?

The space will concentrate on architecture, design and the arts.