Cautionary Tale: Star Building Buzz Fades Fast

Three years ago, Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center opened a new building designed by star Zaha Hadid. There were crowds and there was lots of attention. But now the crowds have gone and the attention has faded. “This would-be icon stands as a cautionary tale: In an age when celebrity architects are courted by cities and institutions desperate to make a splash, brand-name buzz can fade quicker than a fresh coat of paint.”