Project Management, Innovation and Design with Paolo Matteuzzi at Zaha Hadid Architects

Project Management, Innovation and Design with Paolo Matteuzzi at Zaha Hadid Architects - Interview by Katarina Miljusevic, James Sandoval and Michela Vitiello 

As part of the Design Management course, we had the opportunity to interview Paolo Matteuzzi, Project  Director at Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), to gain insights into the inner workings of one of the most iconic and  forward-thinking architecture studios in the world. 

Since the passing of its founder Zaha Hadid, the practice has remained true to the vision she set in motion.  “We’ve been working as Zaha Hadid Architects from the beginning, not as architects for Zaha Hadid”  Matteuzzi explains. This strong sense of shared responsibility and long-term commitment that Hadid instilled in  her team continues to guide the studio today. “The biggest shift was to feel responsible for the company, not  to compete with each other as architects” he adds. Her leadership style fostered a collaborative environment  in which the brand’s identity became a collective responsibility, allowing the studio's core values and design  philosophy to remain intact despite the evolving architectural landscape. 

Project management at ZHA balances creative ambition with structural clarity. When a team member brings  in a project, they also take ownership of it, gaining both the opportunity and the responsibility to manage it.  Even junior team members are encouraged to grow and progressively take on key responsibilities. While they  may not manage a project from the outset, they can evolve into a strategic role, eventually becoming the  main point of contact between the project director and the client. 

Transparency plays a central role in the team’s dynamic. “You need to be very clear and transparent. The  team has to be on board—we work together with the same goal.” Open communication helps ensure that  everyone is aligned on expectations, deadlines, and responsibilities, an environment where collaboration and  trust are fundamental. 

ZHA also faces the complex task of adapting its global design vision to diverse cultural and construction  contexts. Matteuzzi shares examples from projects in Uzbekistan, where sensitivity to cultural heritage is 

paramount. “You can’t just step into that environment with a purely international architecture mindset. You  have to preserve the flavour and appeal of global culture, but at the same time respect local values”. In  places like China, there is generally less emphasis on tradition, whereas in other regions, architects are  expected to establish a clear dialogue between the existing built environment and new design interventions. Successful project management relies on understanding regional construction capabilities, the client's  ambitions, and potential constraints—allowing teams to anticipate challenges and balance vision with feasibility. 

Innovation at ZHA is not limited to form—it extends to methods and materials as well. The internal research  department is key to this process, exploring new technologies, construction techniques, and materials.  “Practical constraints are not limitations, but opportunities to innovate” says Paolo Matteuzzi. This approach  ensures that creativity remains grounded in feasibility and regulatory awareness. 

The studio’s commitment to design innovation goes beyond architecture through its sister company, Zaha  Hadid Design. Dedicated to product and industrial design—from furniture to kitchen elements—it exemplifies  how the firm’s design philosophy translates across disciplines and scales. While architecture remains the  studio’s core focus, these cross-disciplinary ventures reflect ZHA’s integrated vision of form, function, and  aesthetics. 

Digital tools and artificial intelligence are increasingly shaping the field, but ZHA sees them not just as  instruments of efficiency, but as tools to foster conceptual and abstract thinking. Software is widely used not  only to manage complex workflows but also to experiment with speculative ideas, maintaining the delicate  balance between visionary thinking and practical execution. 

In conclusion, Zaha Hadid Architects stays at the cutting edge of architecture by honouring its founder’s  legacy through innovation, collaboration, and meaningful design. Embracing technology and creativity, the  firm continues to shape the future of architecture.