Comments update: readers are reflecting on the life and work of Zaha Hadid after the Pritzker Prize-winning architect died suddenly aged 65 last week.

Zaha Hadid 1950-2016: shocked commenters quickly paid tribute to Zaha Hadid, describing her as a "bold and inspirational" architect who challenged convention and inspired a generation of female architects "in an industry dominated by men".

"Whatever you thought of her designs, she challenged a lot of attitudes in a lot of ways," said one guest commenter. "For me as a woman, she was a role model."

"This was so unexpected," added Meme. "She seemed to be immortal and full of new ideas to be realised."

"I experienced you not only as brilliant mind but also as a very charismatic person with a great sense for aesthetic, incredible knowledge of human nature and a inimitable dry humour," said one of Hadid's former students. "Thank you for your creativity and inspiration."

"Thank you for your friendship, your great inspiration, your collaborations and tremendous continuous support," added United Nude's Rem D Koolhaas. "We will truly miss you and you will always be in our heart."

London-based designer Benjamin Hubert also posted his reaction on Dezeen's comments section, calling Hadid "a titan of our time". Read all the tributes posted to this story »

Respect: Japanese architect Kengo Kuma told Dezeen that Zaha Hadid's achievements will be a challenge to surpass. His comments came just months after the pair were at loggerheads over the controversial Tokyo 2020 Olympic stadium design.

"Japanese architects bullied her out of her Olympic stadium," said Derek. "I don't want to hear sanctimonious words from them."

"It's a bit strange hearing this from Kuma, after all the recent fuss that he and others made for the Tokyo Olympic stadium," added Ivan.

Others didn't agree and quickly defended Kuma. "He respected her as an architect despite their differences of opinion," responded a guest commenter.

"[Kengo Kuma] acted gracefully with respect and dignity," concluded another reader. "I'm sure he never wished Zaha ill, he just didn't like the Tokyo stadium." Read the comments on this story »

Memories: Nicholas Boyarsky, son of former Architectural Association director Alvin Boyarsky, shared some of his memories growing up under Hadid's influence, including a vodka-fuelled night in Moscow.

"I really got to know her when I joined her Unit 9 trip to Moscow and Leningrad," Nicholas Boyarsky told Dezeen. "We would stay up all night drinking vodka and Zaha would tell wild tales and sing and laugh."

"Zaha the human being really jumps out of this article," responded Freddie.

"Fantastic insight," added Jay. "She was criticised too harshly and too often. That's the price of success I suppose." Leave your tribute to Zaha Hadid in our comments section »