Zaha Hadid sues over New York Review of Books article

Architect Zaha Hadid has filed a libel lawsuit over an article that recently appeared in the New York Review of Books, prompting the author to issue an admission of error.

The article, which appeared in the June 5 issue, is a review written by critic Martin Filler for the book “Why We Build: Power and Desire in Architecture” by Rowan Moore.

The point of contention is a series of statements made by Filler in which he wrote that Hadid “has unashamedly disavowed any responsibility, let alone concern” for workers who have died in the construction of the architect’s Al Wakrah stadium, future site of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The article also contains a quote attributed to Hadid: “I have nothing to do with the workers.... It’s not my duty as an architect to look at it.”

In a statement this week, Filler said Hadid’s quotes were taken out of context and aren’t related to her World Cup project.

In addition, he acknowledged that construction on the stadium isn’t scheduled to begin until 2015: “There have been no worker deaths on the Al Wakrah project and Ms. Hadid’s comments about Qatar that l quoted in the review had nothing to do with the Al Wakrah site or any of her projects.”

Filler’s statement has been appended to the online version of the article and can also be read on the Archinect blog. The news was reported earlier by Reuters and the New York Times.

Hadid has said in her lawsuit that the article is libelous, and she is seeking a retraction as well as damages. The lawsuit has been filed in New York State Supreme Court. It remains unclear whether Hadid will pursue her claims in light of the correction.

Hadid is one of the most prominent architects in the world and is a recipient of the Pritzker Prize, the profession’s highest honor.

Filler is a widely respected architecture critic who has contributed numerous articles to the New York Review of Books.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT