Skip to main content

Capital Hill Residence is the Only Home Ever Designed by Zaha Hadid

capital hill residence zaha hadid
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There is no denying the genius that was Zaha Hadid. Her untimely passing in 2016 left a gaping hole in the architecture world. With the ability to create buildings that defied gravity — sometimes physics  she left her unique stamp on the world in the countless public and commercial buildings she designed.

But she was no residential architect, which makes Capital Hill Residence so special. Plus, the thing looks like a spaceship, which is just so badass.

Recommended Videos

When plans to develop a commercial space together fell through, Russian businessman Vladislav Doronin did not give up on his dream to work with Zaha Hadid. He was able to convince the architect to design his private residence, located in the Barvikha Forest near Moscow. Dubbed the Capital Hill Residence, the home stands out not just for the signature Hadid swoops in the roof-line, but for the 70-foot tall tower in the center.

Insisting that his master suite have an above-the-treeline view, Doronin presented Hadid with a challenge: how to keep the main living spaces at ground level, while giving her client the view he so desired. The answer was that looming tower in the center of the home.

The remainder of the home is spread out among three ground-floor levels that step down to follow the slope of the land. On the highest level is the entrance, library, children’s space, and guest suite. Stepping down a floor, there is the living room, kitchen, and a pool. At the very back of the home, moving down yet one more level, is the “leisure” area.

The inside of the home continues the “spaceship” style with undulating walls, swooping arched doorways, and white walls and ceilings that create a futuristic feel. The unique shapes of the rooms required that all of the furniture for the home be custom made, so although the project was built long before Hadid passed away, it was only recently that Doronin finally put the finishing touches in place. The result is a home Hadid had referred to as perfect for a “Russian James Bond.” But we think it’s better suited for a “Russian Captain Kirk.”

If all the soft angles in this house doesn’t appeal, check out a few Brutalist offerings to engage your straight-edged interests.

Kelsey Machado
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kelsey is a professional interior designer with over a decade of experience in the design field. With a passion for…
The writer of one of Netflix’s biggest drama is taking on James Bond next
We still don't know who will star in this new installment.
James Bond at a casino

The news that Denis Villeneuve would be taking on the next James Bond film was certainly exciting for many, and as we continue to speculate about who might take over as 007, we're also learning more about who else will be working behind the scenes on the film.

We now know that Steven Knight, the writer behind Peaky Blinders, will be writing the next Bond movie. While Knight is best known for his work on TV, which includes Peaky Blinders and the recent Stephen Graham series A Thousand Blows, he's also the writer behind Spencer and Maria.

Read more
Every new Game of Thrones spinoff explained
George R.R. Martin's television world continues to grow
Matt Smith starring in House of the Dragon

When it first aired on HBO in the early 2010s, Game of Thrones dazzled audiences with revolutionary special effects and terrific acting in a unique fantasy world. Based on author George R.R. Martin's series of novels, the universe depicts the battles between several different noble families as they try to climb to the top of the continent of Westeros, both politically and figuratively. The war scenes, family drama, and massive number of characters helped make the story feel fresh and new every time a new episode aired.

As Martin's attention shifted to television and away from his books, fans have looked to the TV series to finish some of the stories he couldn't finish on the page. Game of Thrones left fans wanting more, despite its poorly received finale, and a plethora of spinoffs are on the way. House of the Dragon already has two seasons completed, and there are several others in the coming years to look forward to.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon finished its second season in 2024. The show chronicles the heated family dynamics of the Targaryen empire almost two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones. The third season should pick up the civil war between Queen Rhaenyra's forces and King Aegon's after a slow-building conflict throughout the second act.

Read more
The ultimate guide to cigar terminology: Speak like a true aficionado
The ‘I definitely know my cigars’ cheat sheet. You're welcome.
Man wearing top hat lighting a cigar in a bar

You're not the only one who has felt out of your league talking cigars with someone who obviously knows his stuff, trust me. To everyone else, the cigar world is a secret society with its own language—a mix of tradition, craftsmanship, and ritual that may as well be code to the onlooker. But here’s the secret–you don’t need years of puffing to sound like an aficionado.

This guide explains cigar jargon in the most approachable way possible. No BS, no elitism, no jargon— just straight talk in plain, everyday words. You’ll learn the basic structure of cigars, how to describe what you’re tasting, and how to talk shop without sounding like a rookie. Whether you’re sparking up at a lounge, perusing a humidor, or just kicking back, having the lingo effortlessly rolling off your tongue will elevate your cigar game instantly.

Read more