Patrik Schumacher, principal at Zaha Hadid Architects, recently delivered a controversial virtual lecture to Baylor University students, claiming that "woke" concerns have significantly impacted the architecture discipline. Speaking to a room of notably unengaged students during a Free Enterprise Forum class, Schumacher argued that Harvard has been overtaken by movements like Me Too and responses to George Floyd's death. He told the audience that his firm now primarily seeks work in Eastern Europe and India because Western institutions no longer welcome their services.
Schumacher's comments come as his firm has indeed expanded operations in India, particularly with major infrastructure projects like the new Navi Mumbai International Airport designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated his goal for the country to become self-reliant by 2047, creating opportunities for international architectural firms. However, critics including author Arundhati Roy have characterized Modi's government as representing "Hindutva fascism," with Roy noting in a 2023 Le Monde interview that political figures in Modi's party have openly praised Hitler and Mussolini.
Earlier this year, Schumacher published an essay titled "The End of Architecture" in the academic journal Khōrein, where he criticized academic institutions, biennials, and professional critics for abandoning their role as "incubators of architectural thought." Instead, he argued, these institutions have become preoccupied with "tangential sociopolitical issues that stray from architecture's core competency." The essay echoed similar complaints Schumacher regularly posts on his Facebook account, positioning himself against what he views as elite academic circles.
Since publishing his critiques, Schumacher has been invited to speak at various venues outside the traditional academic circuit he denounces. His speaking engagements have taken on a populist tone similar to contemporary political figures. During one evening at the Venice Biennale opening, he reportedly presided over a gathering of disgruntled architects who complained about being excluded from major curatorial opportunities, according to Architectural Record.
Schumacher's appearance at Baylor University came through Professor Peter Klein, who met the architect at a conference last year and was impressed by his essay about architecture's decline as an autonomous discipline. Klein invited Schumacher to present as part of the John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship and Free Enterprise programming. The lecture aligned with the center's libertarian mission, as Schumacher shared anecdotes about facing protests when he questioned subsidizing social housing in London. He told the Baylor students that demonstrators created posters depicting him with a Hitler mustache, though his anticipated applause from the audience never materialized.
During the virtual presentation, Schumacher described himself as a former Marxist who underwent what he called a "Dionysian rebirth" as an anarcho-capitalist following the 2008 financial crisis. Since then, he has launched various campaigns against what he considers problematic elements in architecture and urban planning, including political correctness, city planners, and the Venice Biennale. His lecture included lengthy discussions about his theories on urban development, advocating for what he termed "total freedom" and arguing that zoning laws restrict creativity for developers and entrepreneurs. Observers noted that the presentation seemed designed more to attract attention from tech investors like Peter Thiel than to educate students.
The question of whether Schumacher's controversial positions represent genuine beliefs or strategic marketing has become a topic of debate within architectural circles. Some observers have noted changes in his appearance and presentation style, particularly during a 2023 lecture at the Architectural Association, leading to speculation about whether he is attempting to appeal to Silicon Valley clients. Online discussions have questioned whether his approach represents a "fascist approach to architecture" or simply clever marketing tactics.
From a business perspective, Schumacher's strategy appears to be yielding mixed results. The Architects Journal reported that Zaha Hadid Architects saw slight profit increases in 2023, primarily due to substantial growth in Middle East projects. However, the firm also faces challenges, with employee turnover rates doubling since 2013, three years before Zaha Hadid's unexpected death. The firm's expansion into controversial markets raises questions about its approach to human rights issues.
Zaha Hadid herself faced criticism regarding worker safety and rights during her career. Hundreds of Indian and Nepalese construction workers reportedly died in Qatar while building her World Cup stadium design. When questioned about these deaths in a 2014 Guardian interview, Hadid acknowledged it as "a serious problem" but distanced herself from responsibility, stating, "I have nothing to do with the workers" and suggesting it was a matter for the Qatari government to address.
Currently, Zaha Hadid Architects operates under licensing agreements that require the firm to pay 6 percent of its annual income to the Zaha Hadid Foundation for the right to use the "Zaha Hadid" trademark. This arrangement raises questions about the long-term sustainability of Schumacher's leadership under Hadid's brand, especially given his increasingly controversial public statements. Industry observers speculate about how much longer Schumacher will continue operating under Hadid's established reputation before potentially establishing his own independent practice.
