Zaha Hadid Architects brand identity by Greenspace

Design and brand strategy specialists Greenspace have developed a new identity, bespoke typeface and website for Zaha Hadid Architects.

Following text from the official press release:

Collaborating closely with Zaha’s senior partner, Patrik Schumacher, Greenspace and designer Miles Newlyn have developed a brand identity that has a minimal feel. It is inspired by the contemporary material and construction choices employed by ZHA, visualised through the use of varying paper stocks, simple highlight colours and carefully chosen print techniques. 'We deliberately didn’t want to create a brand identity that would be a pastiche of any ofthe ZHA created works. We wanted the work to speak for itself, not be over-powered by its brand' Adrian Caddy of Greenspace.

Dynamic patterns

ZHA use a wide range of computer program scripts combined with parametric theory when creating buildings and designs. Greenspace took inspiration from these to create a set of patterns that can be used graphically across communication collateral and to which future patterns can be added as new structures, shapes and forms are developed.

Bespoke and unique typeface

As part of the brand revamp, Greenspace and ZHA’s Patrik Schumacher worked closelyto develop a bespoke typeface, called zaha hadid sans.'The typeface uses two unique features: there is the folded detail, in which joins that are usually truncated are divided by a slim gap to give the appearance of layering. The other feature is a carefully stressed curve that flows from vertical to near horizontal and back again.' - Miles Newlyn

Selection of the characters from the typeface designed by Miles Newlyn with Greenspace

Website

The website acts as the ‘ultimate archive’ of everything ZHA has done - both built and conceptual - with a CSM system that allows the archive to grow indefinitely. Greenspace has designed it to be a purely visual, never the same twice, mesmeric encounter with the ZHA world. Containing vast amounts of data, the site is an ‘inclusive’, user-friendly experience that pushes the boundaries of other more traditional architectural sites. It enables the user to modify, personalise and dictate relevant content. Built in HTML 5, avoiding the constraints of flash for ease of loading to ipad for example, it captures and exposes everything that is current and ZHA related, worldwide. And it’s been designed to be practical, so both students and press can download images, information and biographies about the work and people that make up the ZHA brand.