Zaha Hadid Architects

Mineral finishes behind some of the world’s most fluid architecture

Zaha Hadid’s architecture is often defined by movement. Surfaces fold, stretch, and flow. Walls become ceilings. Concrete becomes sculpture. But delivering that level of precision requires more than form. It requires materials that can keep up.

Across a number of projects associated with Zaha Hadid Architects, KEIM mineral systems have been specified to protect, unify, and elevate these complex surfaces. While often sitting quietly in the background, they play a critical role in how these buildings perform and age.

KEIM itself references Zaha Hadid Architects among the global practices specifying its mineral paints, particularly on projects where concrete, durability, and long-term colour stability are essential.

"There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?" — Zaha Hadid

London Aquatics Centre, London

Fluid structure. Consistent surface.

Image Credits: Zaha Hadid

Originally designed for the 2012 Olympics, the London Aquatics Centre is one of Hadid’s most recognisable works. The building is defined by its sweeping roof, which moves like a wave across the site. Beneath that gesture sits a highly controlled material palette. Large areas of exposed concrete and render demand consistency across complex curves.

Why KEIM works here:

• Allows concrete to remain visually raw, not plastic-coated

• Delivers a uniform matte finish across large, curved surfaces

• Provides UV stability to maintain tone over time

The result is a building where the finish doesn’t compete with the form. It supports it.

Guangzhou Opera House, China

Colour stability across complex geometry

Image Credits: Zaha Hadid

The Guangzhou Opera House is composed of two faceted volumes inspired by river-worn stones. Its geometry is highly articulated, with thousands of individual panels forming the façade.

Within projects like this, subtle tonal control becomes critical. Even small inconsistencies are amplified across faceted surfaces.

Why KEIM works here:

• Mineral pigmentation delivers depth without surface sheen

• No film build-up, preserving the sharpness of detailing

• Long-term colour consistency across complex geometries

This allows the building to read as a single cohesive object, rather than a collection of panels.

Evelyn Grace Academy, London

Durable finishes for public architecture

Image Credits: Zaha Hadid

Evelyn Grace Academy is a secondary school in Brixton, designed as a series of intersecting linear forms. Unlike some of Hadid’s more sculptural works, this project operates at a civic scale with heavy daily use.

Why KEIM works here:

• High durability in exposed urban conditions

• Breathable system reduces moisture-related deterioration

• Low maintenance over long lifecycle

For public buildings, longevity is not optional. It is part of the design brief.

Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art, Cincinnati

Mineral finishes on exposed concrete

Image Credits: Zaha Hadid

One of Hadid’s earliest built works, the Rosenthal Center is defined by stacked, shifting volumes expressed in concrete.

Why KEIM works here:

• Bonds directly with mineral substrates through silicification

• Maintains the integrity of exposed concrete

• Prevents peeling or flaking over time

It allows the architecture to age with consistency rather than degradation.

A consistent thread: material honesty

Across these projects, the architectural language changes. From fluid civic icons to linear education buildings. But the material intent remains consistent.

Zaha Hadid’s work often relies on:

• Concrete as a primary surface

• Seamless transitions between elements

• Large, uninterrupted planes

KEIM supports this by working with the substrate, not against it. Its potassium silicate binder chemically bonds to mineral surfaces, creating a finish that becomes part of the building itself rather than a layer on top.

Why this pairing matters

This is not a visible collaboration. It is not branded. It is a specification decision.

But it reflects a shared approach:

• Architecture that pushes form

• Materials that ensure it lasts

  
  

In projects where precision is everything, the finish cannot fail. It has to be as considered as the architecture itself.