A legal win clears the path for Patrik Schumacher to rename Zaha Hadid Architects, debris from an Iranian drone sparks fire at Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab, and Amtrak unveils sleek interiors for long-awaited Airo trains. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
Burj Al Arab damaged in missile strikes
The Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai; photo courtesy of creativefamily/Adobe Stock
The iconic Burj Al Arab skyscraper, designed by Tom Wright in 1999, was among buildings damaged by Iranian airstrikes on Saturday, February 28th. Dezeen reports that videos captured flames and smoke billowing from the base of the structure, which authorities confirmed was caused by debris from an intercepted Iranian drone launched in retaliation against U.S.-Israeli attacks earlier that day. An intercepted missile also caused damage to the nearby Palm Jumeirah, injuring four people. International airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi also sustained damage, resulting in injuries and one death.
Demna channels classic museums for his first Gucci runway
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Mononymous Georgian designer Demna launched his first Gucci runway show in Milan last week, and I’m still struggling to lift my jaw off the floor. Hosted at the Palazzo delle Scintille, which was originally designed in 1923 for sporting events, the presentation was conceived to represent Gucci’s own impact on the Italian cultural canon, Wallpaper reports. Designed in partnership with sub.global, the show drew upon the brand’s roots in Tuscany more than a century prior. Demna’s own visits to Gucci factories influenced the aesthetic, as did Florentine cultural hubs like the Uffizi galleries and Pallazzo Gucci on Piazza della Signoria. Travertine Stoneleaf wrapped the show’s museum-like interiors, which featured ultra-fine Italian marble sheets bonded onto sheets of fiberglass and transparent resin. Sculptures from the Uffizi were also 3D-scanned before being rendered by Tuscan artisans in plaster to further punctuate the A/W 2026 show. Oh, and the clothes were gorgeous, too.
Patrik Schumacher may rename ZHA
Patrik Schumacher; photo by Frederic Aranda
Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) principal Patrik Schumacher has won a legal battle against the Zaha Hadid Foundation over the use of the late architect’s name. Dezeen reports that a High Court overruled a 2024 judgment requiring the architecture studio to retain the Hadid name and pay 6 percent of its annual revenue. The court ruled that the licensing agreement could end as it could not be intended for indefinite placement. The ruling includes “a power to terminate on reasonable notice” and clears the way for Schumacher to rename the practice.
Amtrak teases Airo trains
Photo courtesy of Amtrak
As rail traffic increases nationwide, Amtrak is ready to introduce one of its most comprehensive fleet overhauls ever. Amid ongoing modernization efforts, the company has revealed a first look at the new generation of Airo trains, which are designed to elevate guest experience and strengthen service. Images show streamlined interiors lined with updated colorways, graphics, and seats. A total of 83 Airo trainsets are planned for deployment, beginning later this year on the Amtrak Cascades in the Pacific Northwest before service begins on the Northeast Regional (represent represent!).
Don’t miss standout products at HD Expo
The Saint Martin collection from Emuamericas
As if you didn’t need another reason to join us at HD Expo + Conference in Las Vegas this May, a little teaser of some standout products you’ll find on the show floor ought to do the trick. Shayla Copas’ Latitude collection will be highlighted in the Designer Series with a handsome lumber composition, while Ratana’s Elisa club chair will offer an alternative outdoor seating option with sexy woven charcoal ropes and an aluminum frame. Shaw Contract will also showcase the range of customizations available in its Reverie collection, as will HGTV stars Drew and Jonathan Scott, whose Wood Veneer Hub will display easy-to-install acoustic wood slats. Sleek fixtures from Kettal and Solaira are sure to draw in onlookers as well. Come see these products and more from 600+ exhibitors at Mandalay Bay May 5-7th. Register today!
