In contrast with the classical ornate interior décor of the Palazzo Franchetti in Venice, the designs of Zaha Hadid stand as fiercely futuristic and sleek. Not everyone has been a fan of this kind of style, viewing it as cold and mathematical, or even totalitarian in nature. Still, this juxtaposition, whether intended or not, is a perfect way to introduce the work of the late visionary architect. A retrospective exhibition of Hadid will run in the palazzo, alongside the Venice Architecture Biennale, until November 27. It will feature paintings, drawings and models of her work – both finished and unfinished.

Malevich’s Tektonik

Hadid is widely known for being one of the greatest female architects – as the first woman to achieve the Pritzker Architecture Prize and to receive the Royal Gold Medal from the Royal Institute of British Architects. Her own style is strongly influenced by the Russian Avant-Gardists. Their love of simple geometries and colors can be seen throughout her various plans – with one of these actually being named after Russian artist Kazimir Malevich.

Grand Building’s for Trafalgar Square

The Malevich Tektonik (1976 – 1977) was one of Hadid’s earliest works. It was a 14-storey hotel on Hungerford Bridge over the River Thames in London, which was her fourth-year project while studying at the British capital’s Architectural Association School of Architecture. The building model is put together with strictly cubical shapes standing in contrast with the extensively wavy, almost biomorphic, forms of her later works. Other unrealized projects displayed include the Peak Club in Hong Kong and her Grand Buildings designed for London’s Trafalgar Square.

Displayed in conjunction with Hadid’s own drawings are the photographs by famous architecture photographer Hélène Binet. She’s done many of Hadid’s works great justice through the composition of the photographs, accentuating the stark cohesiveness of the architectural forms.

Fans of Zaha Hadid will be able to get their fill of the architect’s work at the exhibit – ranging from the London Aquatics Center in the UK, built for the 2012 Summer Olympics, to the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati, USA. Her legacy will loom large even after her death, for many many more years to come.

You can find out more about the exhibition over here.

Images courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects and Luke Hayes