Historic London Headquarters Reimagined as a Zaha Hadid Cultural Hub for the Public
On November 3rd, 2026, the Zaha Hadid Foundation will unveil the refurbished space at 10 Bowling Green Lane, Clerkenwell, once home to the famed architect’s practice, now transformed into a new cultural center. This Victorian schoolhouse, dating back to the early 1870s, has been reborn as a vibrant venue for architecture, design, and the arts, accommodating galleries, lecture halls, and more. A preview is scheduled for October 29th.
Explore further transformations with Veronica Mishaan’s Bogotá Penthouse makeover highlighting bold color and craftsmanship.
The renovation respects the Grade II-listed building’s history. Led by Studio KA, founded by Katherine Nolan and Alex Butterworth, the project includes reopening original fireplaces and doorways while incorporating colors from Hadid’s paintings. Signature features like Z-shaped door pulls remain, blending past and present.
Exploring Zaha Hadid’s Creative Legacy in the New Cultural Space
The inaugural exhibition, “Zaha Hadid: Architecture of Performance,” dives into her lesser-known stage designs. Curated by Catherine Howe and guest Libby Sellers, it examines her work in dance, opera, and pop music, from 1989 collaborations to staging for famous acts. This collection showcases her innovative approach to movement and spatial geometry beyond traditional architecture within the setting.
Featured in the second gallery, London artist LionHeart presents “The Rebar Beneath,” an 11-minute video installation merging film, poetry, and performance. It explores hidden structures through layered projections in the context of this cultural hub. Additionally, Mona Chalabi’s animated timeline, “The Completely Exhausting Inexhaustibility of Zaha Hadid,” offers insights into her prolific career.
Innovative Visual Identity and Collaborative Ventures at the Venue
Marking this new era, the Foundation has embraced a dynamic graphic identity by Amsterdam-based Experimental Jetset. Utilizing a flexible typographic system, it reflects Hadid’s spirit of innovation. Concurrently, a revamped online presence by Made by ON will improve access to the Foundation’s archives and programming, launching the week of October 12th. The center will serve as a centerpiece for these new ventures.
In collaboration with the Architectural Association and Serpentine, the Foundation will host “89° of Zaha Hadid,” a symposium on October 30th and 31st at the London site, coinciding with what would have been Hadid’s 76th birthday. According to Rana Hadid, the Foundation aims to carry forward her legacy through active experimentation and engagement with new creative voices from the studio.
The transformation of this architectural studio into a public cultural center honors Zaha Hadid’s innovative legacy, inviting the world to engage with her vision in new and dynamic ways at the cultural hub.
For another inspiring architectural transformation, Jeroen Spee Architecten’s Villa Bilt showcases serenity amidst nature.
Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
What is the new purpose of Zaha Hadid’s London studio?
The historic London headquarters at 10 Bowling Green Lane has been transformed into a new cultural center for architecture, design, and the arts, accommodating galleries, lecture halls, and more.
When is the preview for the cultural center scheduled?
A preview of the cultural center is scheduled for October 29th, 2026.
What is featured in the inaugural exhibition at the new cultural space?
The inaugural exhibition, ‘Zaha Hadid: Architecture of Performance,’ features her lesser-known stage designs and examines her work in dance, opera, and pop music, showcasing her innovative approach beyond traditional architecture.