Neo futurist architecture : The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre

The Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre building located in Baku, Azerbajian. This neo futurist architecture design by iraqi-british architect Zaha Hadid.

 The Heydar Aliyev Center represents a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and by the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. All functions of the Center, together with entrances, are represented by folds in a single continuous surface. This fluid form gives an opportunity to connect the various cultural spaces whilst at the same time, providing each element of the Center with its own identity and privacy. As it folds inside, the skin erodes away to become an element of the interior landscape of the Center.

 Heydar Aliyev Center had an official soft-opening ceremony on 10 May 2012 held by current president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. An internationally recognized futurist architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and futuristic design. Extending on eight floor levels, the center accommodates a 1000-seat auditorium, temporary exhibition spaces, a conference center, workshops, and a museum.The building was nominated for awards in 2013 at both the World Architecture Festival and the biennial Inside Festival. In 2014, Centre won the Design Museum’s Design of the Year Award 2014 despite concerns about the site's human rights record. This makes Zaha Hadid the first woman to win the top prize in that competition.