RGE Design

20/02/2025

Who Dares Wins

Architecture is no longer a mans world, this idea that women can’t think three-dimensionally is ridiculous.

A documentary which offers a glimpse into the life of famous architect and designer Zaha Hadid. Who dares wins allows us to reflect on Hadid’s amazing use of form in her designs, treating it almost as a fluid, dynamic language in which to express her ideas. With her approach, far from conventional, she pushed the boundaries on what was possible, with many of her designs incorporating sweeping curves and asymmetry in such a way as to feel surreal or appear as though in motion.

While Zaha Hadid’s designs are really standout, for me (as a female designer) what shone through this documentary was Hadid’s resilience in a career faced with adversity. In a male-dominated career, she faced scepticism and resistance and yet she is now seen as a powerhouse in architecture. Hadid’s refusal to compromise on her vision is what has allowed her to become the world renowned name in design that she is today. Her unapologetic and fiercely independent nature, I believe comes through strong in both her work and this documentary.

Zaha Hadid has become a new inspiration for me. In the documentary, Hadid reflected on her career and gave advise saying, “Women are always told, ‘you’re not going to make it, it’s too difficult, you can’t do that’. They need to challenge themselves, and people around them need to get on”. I believe this was her attempting to convey her reliance on self-belief which has helped her navigate this male-dominated industry. This self-belief that Zaha Hadid, has not only in herself but her designs, has allowed for her to stand behind them even when someone challenged them.

Throughout the Who Dares Wins documentary, people talked of Hadid’s determination, stubbornness in the face of design and unshakeable self-belief which I think offers a blueprint to future designers, architects and engineering. Being confident in your abilities, trusting your vision and being resilient in the face of adversity is the key to unlocking new opportunities and breaking down barriers.

Success is not about fitting into pre-conceived notions or ideals but redefining them, challenging ideas and pushing boundaries. No ones’ path is easy nor is it smooth but we can learn from those that have gone ahead of us like Zaha Hadid.