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Zaha Hadid portrait

Daniel Libeskind and Richard Rogers lead tributes to Zaha Hadid

Zaha Hadid 1950-2016: architects Daniel Libeskind and Richard Rogers are among those paying tribute to Zaha Hadid, after news broke today of her death at the age of 65.

"Devastated by the loss of a great architect and colleague today," said Libeskind. "Her spirit will live on in her work and studio. Our hearts go out."

Richard Rogers told The Guardian newspaper that the news of Hadid's death was "really, really terrible".

"Among architects emerging in the last few decades, no one had any more impact than she did. She fought her way through as a woman," he said. "She was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize. I got involved with her first in Cardiff when the government threw her off the project in the most disgraceful way. She has had to fight every inch of the way. It is a great loss."

Other architects to pay their respects include Frank Gehry, who described Hadid as a "great architect and a great friend", and Herzog & de Meuron, who said she will "leave an indelible mark on that extraordinary moment in the history of architecture".

Amanda Levete called the architect as a "dear and loyal friend" and "one of the most extraordinary talents of our time".

"Her global impact was profound and her legacy will be felt for many years to come because she shifted the culture of architecture and the way that we experience buildings," said Levete.

"She was an extraordinary role model for women. She was fearless and a trailblazer – her work was brave and radical. Despite sometimes feeling misunderstood, she was widely celebrated and rightly so," she added. "I will miss her deeply, as will the world of architecture."

French architect Odile Decq, who was named as this year's Jane Drew Prize winner for her role in promoting women in architecture – an award given to Hadid in 2012 – also paid tribute.

"[Hadid was] the first 'Grande Dame de l'architecture' and a great figure in many ways," she told Dezeen. "She has opened so many doors for women in architecture. She has become free and without any fear after having been forced to fight against sexist attitudes. Her architecture reveals her own freedom."

Royal Institute of British Architects president Jane Duncan told the BBC that Hadid had "made space fly" with "unbelievable" designs.

In a statement to Dezeen, Duncan said: "Dame Zaha Hadid was an inspirational woman, and the kind of architect one can only dream of being," she said. "Visionary and highly experimental, her legacy despite her young age is formidable."

"She leaves behind a body of work from buildings to furniture, footwear and cars, that delight and astound people all around the world," added Duncan. "It was only last month that I had the enviable task of awarding Zaha the 2016 Royal Gold Medal for architecture – she was delighted to receive the recognition and added the medal to an amazing collection of awards, not least winning the RIBA Stirling Prize two years running. The world of architecture has lost a star today."

Serpentine directors Julia Peyton-Jones and Hans Ulrich Obrist, who commissioned Hadid to build the Serpentine Sackler Gallery have also released a statement.

"Her contribution to architecture as a pioneer and visionary cannot be overstated, and barely a week goes by without a landmark building opening somewhere in the world," they said.

"Zaha Hadid was not only a great architect but also a great artist and she leaves an extraordinary body of work not only as built form but also paintings and drawings where she often explored the ideas that would later be transformed into architecture," they added. "We are honoured to have collaborated with her on numerous occasions and her loss will be deeply felt by us and the world over."

Numerous architects, designers and industry figures have paid tribute to Hadid on social media. Scroll down to see a selection:


So so sad to hear that Zaha Hadid left us today. She is a pioneer, and in a male dominated field she showed the way with so many ideas, so many breakthroughs, so much energy...it's hard to believe we won't be regularly inspired by her important work. When I was 16 years old, I visited the fire station at the @vitrafurniture factory close to the @swiss border in Weil Am Rhein. I was so taken by it, inspired by it, and it fueled my passion for architecture and design. Many years later, Zaha called my office and asked for a @mini motion watch...she wore it for many years, and was always a great and steadfast supporter. Last time I saw her in London she was happy and so welcoming. So long Zaha...we will miss you. #pioneer #peoplewhoinspire #zahahadid #firestation #architecture @marcusfairs @dezeen

A photo posted by Yves Behar (@yvesbehar) on