Zaha Hadid Architects has issued an open letter rejecting Patrik Schumacher's 'urban policy manifesto', declared at World Architecture Festival. Speaking at this year's World Architecture Festival in Berlin, Schumacher has announced his own 8-point plan to ease constructive process, attributing London Housing crisis. Although the architect claims that his opinions do not represent the opinion of ZHA, Schumacher has widely been criticised by the public and architects after his speech at the WAF.

''Do my propositions advanced at WAF (or on Face-book) represent the opinion of ZHA? No, firms do not have opinions, only persons do. I made my remarks at WAF not as representative of ZHA but as an individual who likes to query and discuss the political framework under which our discipline contributes to the development of the city. As professional I accept the instituted legitimacy of this framework as premise of all our work,'' stated Schumacher on his Facebook page.

You can watch Patrik Schumacher's speech recorded at the World Architecture Festival 2016.

Jeremy Melvin, Curator of WAF and Patrik Schumacher, Director of ZHA

After a public debate, Zaha Hadid Architects has issued an open letter, saying that ''Patrik Schumacher’s ‘urban policy manifesto’ does not reflect Zaha Hadid Architects’ past—and will not be our future.Zaha Hadid did not write manifestos. She built them.''

Here's a full version of the letter by Zaha Hadid Architects:

November 29, 2016

Patrik Schumacher’s ‘urban policy manifesto’ does not reflect Zaha Hadid Architects’ past—and will not be our future.

Zaha Hadid did not write manifestos. She built them.

Zaha Hadid Architects has delivered 56 projects for all members of the community in 45 cities around the world.

Refusing to be confined by limitations or boundaries, Zaha did not reserve her ideology for the lecture hall. She lived it.

She deeply believed in the strongest international collaboration and we are very proud to have a hugely talented team of 50 different nationalities in our London office, including those from almost every EU country.  43% of architects at ZHA are of an ethnic minority and 40% of our architects are women.

Zaha Hadid didn’t just break glass ceilings and pull down barriers; she shattered them—inviting everyone of any race, gender, creed or orientation to join her on the journey.

Embedding a collective research culture into every aspect of our work, Zaha has built a team of many diverse talents and disciplines—and we will continue to innovate towards an architecture of inclusivity.

Architects around the world are calling for the profession to become more inclusive. The national and international press have also done a very good job highlighting the critical issues of housing and the threats to vital public spaces.

Through determination and sheer hard work, Zaha showed us all that architecture can be diverse and democratic. She inspired a whole new generation around the world to engage with their environment, to never stop questioning and never—ever—stop imagining.

Collaborating with clients, communities and specialists around the world who share this vision, everyone at Zaha Hadid Architects is dedicated to honouring Zaha’s legacy, working with passion and commitment to design and deliver the most transformational projects for all.

Zaha Hadid Architects

All images © WAF 

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