Looking outside was all she could do: although the building with its sundry crisply sliced-off projections looks as though it wants to continue onwards and outwards, that would involve trespassing on the property of others - not least two big roads. There were some cost compromises too, such as the use of matt black aluminium panels - rather than her preferred silver-gold titanium - in two places to contrast with the smooth white concrete of most of the building. That makes it less sparkly, more recessive, more enigmatic.

So what's next for Hadid? America is taking to her: her next project there is to add to an iconic Frank Lloyd Wright building, the Price Tower in Oklahoma. To be allowed to do that is quite some accolade. In case the Hadid-bashers now sniff that she may have done a reasonable art gallery, but Cincinnati is not in the same league as a great European city, then check out her next project, just starting to be built now: another contemporary arts centre, but in Rome.