ZHA Studio Title News – Zaha Hadid Architects
13 June 2026
ZHA, formerly known as Zaha Hadid Architects
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) recently transitioned its studio name to “ZHA” marking an evolution into an employee-owned firm of nearly 500 professionals. Led by Patrik Schumacher, the practice issued a statement emphasizing that the rebrand honors Hadid’s legacy while adapting to a highly collaborative, global firm operating across six continents.
The official ZHA statement and studio philosophy is anchored by several core pillars:
1. Collective Evolution & Global Reach
– New Identity: The transition to ZHA reflects a “more collective identity” ten years after Zaha Hadid’s passing.
– Current Operations: ZHA currently has over 100 projects in development worldwide, emphasizing a future built on ongoing research, technological innovation, and collaboration.
2. Core Architectural Philosophy
– Connectivity and Integration: The studio’s designs weave form and space into structures that evolve naturally from their surroundings.
– Societal Progress: Zaha Hadid’s personal design ethos was that architecture must contribute to society’s progress and collective wellbeing, rather than serving as mere personal expression or individual indulgences.
3. Sustainability & Innovation
– Ecological Considerations: ZHA’s statement highlights a commitment to marrying innovative digital design with ecologically sound materials and sustainable construction practices.
– Design Standards: The studio has developed specific guidelines, including their Modern Slavery Policy and Modern Slavery Act Statement, to ensure ethical practices across their global supply chains.
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“ZHA®” and “ZHA Architects™” are trade marks of ZHA Architects Limited, a company based in London, UK and owned by its employees. ZHA Architects Group previously traded under a trade mark licence from the Zaha Hadid Foundation.
Following the termination of the licence in 2025 the ZHA Architects Group ceased all use of that trade mark and disclaims any connection with the Foundation.
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5 June 2026
The Cascades Tirana, Albania
render © NIGHTNURSE
Home to nearly one million people across its wider metropolitan region, the city continues to expand, creating demand for contemporary housing developments that contribute to both the character and livability of its emerging neighbourhoods.
16 March 2026
Zaha Hadid Architects wins appeal in naming dispute
In a significant legal victory, Patrik Schumacher, principal of Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), has won a Court of Appeal case against the Zaha Hadid Foundation over the continued use of the late architect’s name.
The UK Court of Appeal overturned a 2024 High Court ruling, determining that a 2013 licensing agreement—signed by Zaha Hadid before her death in 2016—was not intended to last indefinitely. The agreement required the British architecture practice to:
– Retain Zaha Hadid’s name in the architectural firm’s title
– Pay the foundation 6% of annual revenue
Under those terms, the foundation received £21.4 million between 2018 and 2024.
What the ruling means
The appeal court found that the agreement could be terminated with reasonable notice, opening the possibility for:
– A renaming of the practice
– A renegotiated licensing agreement
– Revised financial terms between the studio and foundation
In response, Zaha Hadid Architects stated it would enter into “constructive discussions” with the foundation regarding an updated licence.
Background to the dispute
This case is the latest development in a broader and often public conflict between the studio and the foundation following Hadid’s death. Previous disputes included a four-year legal battle over her estate, which concluded in 2020.
The tension has centered on:
– Control of Hadid’s intellectual legacy
– Financial arrangements tied to her name
– Governance and influence over the brand
Why this matters
Zaha Hadid Architects remains one of the world’s most high-profile architecture practices. A potential name change would mark a major shift in the global architecture landscape, given the strong brand equity attached to Hadid’s legacy.
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Zaha Hadid Architects Design New in 2026
ZHA architecture designs news. Modern buildings + architectural projects + exhibitions + books:
11 February 2026
National Innovation Creativity and Finance Center, Taipei
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects & CY Lee
image : X Universe Visual Design
The NICFC (National Integrated Financial Center) is a major financial development planned for central Taipei. It sits in a historically sensitive and highly trafficked district near Taipei Main Station. This landmark for the city combines modern office towers with public spaces connected to the surrounding cultural and transport network.
4 February 2026
Qiantang Bay Cultural District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China
image : Atchain
Bridging both sides of the canal, a network of pedestrian routes and crossings connects the surrounding urban fabric to the landscaped gardens and parks of the new Central Water Axis. Set within these civic landscapes, ZHA’s cultural buildings respond to the district’s natural terrain, panoramic outlooks, and strategic viewpoints, while their form and orientation are informed by public circulation patterns and seasonal variations in solar irradiation.
14 January 2026
Bishoftu International Airport, Abusera, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Design: Zaha Hadid Architects and Pascall+Watson Architects
image : X Universe
Situated within the temperate subtropical highland climate of Ethiopia’s Oromia region, BIA’s passenger terminal is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification. The terminal will be naturally ventilated and equipped with effective solar shading, while incorporating semi-enclosed spaces and outdoor areas that allow transferring passengers to enjoy the region’s warm summers and mild winters.
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Location: 10 Bowling Green Lane, London, EC1R 0BQ, England, UK.
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Zaha Hadid Architecture
We have various pages online about late architect Zaha Hadid:
Zaha Hadid : news + work before the studio name change to ZHA
Zaha Hadid Architects – All Projects + Practice Information
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News Archive pages, latest first:
Zaha Hadid Architects News 2019 to 2022
photograph : Luke Hayes
Zaha Hadid Architects Designs 2017 – 2018
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Zaha Hadid Architecture Designs – Work from 2011
Zaha Hadid Architecture – Work from 2008-10
Zaha Hadid Buildings – Work up to 2007
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Key Awards
Pritzker Prize Architecture Award Winner 2004
Stirling Prize Winner 2010 for MAXXI – National Museum of the 21st Century Arts, Rome, Italy
Stirling Prize Winner 2011 for the Evelyn Grace Academy, London, UK
Office Contact: +44 (0)20 7253 5147
Website: www.zha.com
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London Architectural Designs
London Architecture Designs – chronological list
London Architect – design practice listing on e-architect
Buildings / photos for the Zaha Hadid Architects – architectural practice news from ZHA, England, UK, page welcome.
