Hadid Becomes First Woman To Win Architecture's Top Honor

Baghdad-born British architect Zaha Hadid makes history by being the first woman to be awarded the prestigious 2004 Pritzker Architecture Prize.

1 minute read

March 22, 2004, 2:00 PM PST

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


"Zaha Hadid, the brilliant Baghdad-born British creator whose dynamic designs have energized architectural thought and practice for more than two decades, has been selected to receive the 2004 Pritzker Architecture Prize. Hadid, 53, is the first woman to be honored in the 26-year history of the award, which was created by the Hyatt Foundation to be architecture's equivalent of the Nobel Prizes....The choice of Hadid to receive what is widely thought to be architecture's most prestigious award focuses attention on the increasing stature of women in a traditionally male-dominated profession. But recognition from the Pritzker committee is perhaps late in coming. In 1991 the selection committee created a controversy when it selected American architect Robert Venturi for the prize but failed to name Denise Scott Brown, Venturi's longtime partner and wife."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Monday, March 22, 2004 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

July 11 - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

July 11 - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today