From an intellectual and operational point of view, Patrik Schumacher is the leading force of ZHA. As Zaha Hadid's closest collaborator and partner since the 1980s, he has been simultaneously developing theoretical discourse, as well as advanced design tools that served as a platform for the office’s activities. By way of connecting theory, education and practice, Schumacher has been developing a strong nucleus of architectural discourse and proving the social significance of architecture at the times when it is being increasingly questioned. In doing so, he often takes a radically critical, even provocative position, not just on the issues related to architecture but on those of the built environment in general. In our conversation, we focused precisely on theoretical questions that are often neglected while analysing the work of ZHA.