British architect Zaha Hadid is to become the 2016 recipient of the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, marking the first time a woman has won the prize in her own right (+ slideshow). Awarded by the Royal Institute of British Architects, the medal is presented annually in recognition of a significant contribution to the profession. Hadid is the first women without a male partner to win the award in its 167-year history. Hadid said she was proud to be the first woman to receive the honour in her own right. "We now see more established female architects all the time. That doesn't mean it'