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Architect Zaha Hadid, who studied mathematics at university, is to design a new mathematics gallery for London's Science Museum

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It's probably fair to say that maths rarely comes top of most children's list of favourite subjects - with many people (this writer included) perceiving mathematics as boring and, frankly, hard.

Despite its rather unsexy image, mathematics plays a role in almost every aspect of our lives and its applications - from aviation design to music production are far from boring.

View from East gallery entrance

Now, London's Science Museum is planning a new gallery - designed by Zaha Hadid - that will bring mathematics and its myriad uses to life.

Plan diagram of the Mathematics Gallery - its arrangement follows the Handley Page aeroplane exhibit's turbulence field

The new gallery is funded by a single £5 million donation from philanthropists David and Claudia Harding.

The permanent gallery will tell stories that place mathematics at the heart of our lives, exploring how mathematicians, their tools and ideas have helped to shape the world from the turn of the 17th century to the present. Zaha Hadid's pioneering practice has embodied this idea by anchoring engineering and mathematical thinking throughout their designs.

Front view of Handley Page aeroplane exhibit

Zaha Hadid, who studied maths at the American University in Beirut, said: 'The design explores the many influences of mathematics in our everyday lives; transforming seemingly abstract mathematical concepts into an exciting interactive experience for visitors of all ages.'

According to a press release from Zaha Hadid Archtiects (ZHA) 'The Mathematics Gallery design explores the many influences of mathematics in our everyday lives; transforming seemingly abstract mathematical concepts into an exciting interactive experience for visitors of all ages.'