The 64-year-old architect is recognised for his role in sustaining the practice's global influence.

Patrik Schumacher, who has led Zaha Hadid Architects since 2016, has been named the winner of the 2025 European Prize for Architecture, one of the industry's most prestigious honours.

The award, which names two laureates this year alongside Palestinian architect Suad Amiry, will be presented to Schumacher at a ceremony in Athens. 

The German-born architect, who joined ZHA in 1988, collaborated closely with founder Dame Zaha Hadid for nearly three decades before assuming leadership of the London-based firm following her passing in 2016. Schumacher's dual role as both practitioner and theorist has established him as a prominent figure in contemporary architecture, particularly through his development of parametricism as a design methodology.

Under his direction, ZHA has maintained its position as a leading international practice, securing significant commissions across multiple continents while advancing computational design technologies. The firm has demonstrated success also in Asian markets, completing numerous high-profile projects with lasting architectural and cultural impact.

The Henderson

This 36-story commercial tower has redefined Hong Kong's Central District skyline with its distinctive twisted form and crystalline facade. Standing at 200 meters tall, the building's parametric design creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow throughout the day, while its innovative structural system maximizes floor plate efficiency for premium office tenants. The tower's sustainable design features and advanced building systems demonstrate how computational design can address both aesthetic ambitions and practical performance requirements in one of the world's most expensive real estate markets.

The Galaxy SOHO

Located in Beijing, this complex transformed commercial architecture expectations in the Chinese capital. The mixed-use development's interconnected volumes have achieved strong occupancy rates while influencing subsequent office building design across major Chinese cities.

The Chengdu Science Fiction Museum

Completed in 2023, the museum demonstrates Schumacher's ability to translate complex geometric concepts into buildable structures. The metallic, fluid-form building serves as both cultural venue and tourism draw for the southwestern Chinese city, showcasing how signature architecture can drive economic development.  

The Zhuhai Jinwan Civic Arts Centre 

Also opened in 2023, the civic arts centre exemplifies ZHA's continued competitiveness in securing major institutional commissions. The cultural complex's sweeping forms house multiple performance venues while establishing a new architectural landmark for the Pearl River Delta region's expanding urban network.  

Beijing Daxing International Airport Terminal 

The terminal remains Schumacher's most commercially significant achievement, with the world's largest single terminal building processing millions of passengers annually since its 2019 opening. The project's starfish-inspired design has enhanced Beijing's infrastructure capacity while demonstrating the economic value of investing in distinctive architectural solutions.  

Schumacher is on the judging panel for Home Journal Awards 2025.

Cover photo credit: Zaha Hadid Architects