Zaha Hadid was an Iraqi-British architect known for her revolutionary deconstructivist designs. She studied math and then architecture, working first with Rem Koolhaas before starting her own firm in 1980. Hadid's gravity-defying, fragmented designs were initially dismissed as unrealistic but she gained recognition with projects like the Vitra Fire Station in 1993 and the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center in 2003. Her style was boldly contemporary and organic, drawing inspiration from landscapes. Notable works also include the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku and ephemeral pavilions for Chanel. Hadid received numerous honors and awards before her death in 2016.