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Famed Architect To Bring Her Designs To SoBe

MIAMI (CBS4) – One of the most famous architects in the world will soon bring one of her designs to South Beach.

Her name is Zaha Hadid and while her name may not sound familiar, her work definitely is.

Hadid is an architect who consistently pushes the boundaries of architecture and urban design.

In 2010, Time magazine listed her among the 100 most influential people and Forbes magazine named her one of the most powerful women.

Some have also called her a diva.

"I always say that if I was a man, they would not call me a diva," Hadid told CBS4's Shannon Hori. "What can they call a woman architect who's not dressed in a gray suit or a black suit?"

The Iraqi-born, British Hadid is known for her out of the box designs. She was the first woman to win the Pritzker award, the highest award in architecture. She also designed the Aquatic Center for the 2012 London Olympics.

Recently, the City of Miami Beach chose Hadid to design its' newest parking garage at Collins Park, across the street from the W Hotel where Hadid has a condo.

The structure will spiral up toward the sky and part will be open.

"The idea was to create a dynamic movement. To use the idea of the movement of the car, which is circular, and then as it moves up, begins to shift, to give it more dynamics," Hadid said.

But don't expect Hadid to park there. She doesn't have a license. She said she considers that her biggest failing in life.

Hadid, who now oversees a staff of 300, first started vacationing in Miami 10 years ago. She said she looks forward to having her own design in a city she loves.

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