Frank Gehry, one of the most influential and groundbreaking architects of the past century, has died at the age of 96. The legendary architect was celebrated worldwide for his avant-garde, experimental approach to design that revolutionized modern architecture. His death was confirmed by his chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd.
Gehry's international fame was solidified in 1997 with his titanium-covered design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which became an instant architectural marvel. However, his breakthrough in the architectural world came years earlier when he redesigned his own home in Santa Monica, California, using unconventional materials like chain-link fencing, plywood, and corrugated steel. This project marked the beginning of his signature style that would challenge traditional architectural principles.
Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to pursue his architectural education at the University of Southern California. He later completed additional studies at Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1956 and 1957. After establishing his own firm, Gehry broke away from conventional architectural principles of symmetry, instead embracing unconventional geometric shapes and unfinished materials in what became known as deconstructivism.
Gehry's innovative approach involved blending unexpected materials and wrapping buildings in stainless steel to create curved, sculptural exteriors. Later in his career, he pioneered the use of 3D modeling technology similar to that used by aerospace engineers to design his flowing, wind-like structures. This complex and costly construction method was largely avoided by other architects, but Gehry embraced the challenge to create truly unique buildings.
In 1989, at age 60, Gehry received the architecture industry's highest honor, the Pritzker Architecture Prize, for lifetime achievement. The Pritzker jury praised his work for possessing a "highly refined, sophisticated and adventurous aesthetic." They noted that "his designs, if compared to American music, could best be likened to Jazz, replete with improvisation and a lively unpredictable spirit."
The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao transformed not only Gehry's career but also the entire city of Bilbao, boosting tourism and revitalizing the local economy. Crafted from titanium sheets, limestone, and glass, the museum was immediately hailed as a modern architectural wonder. Fellow architect Philip Johnson, Gehry's American contemporary, described the structure as "the greatest building of our time." Other cities attempted to replicate its success, a phenomenon that became known as the "Bilbao effect," where investment in bold artistic projects could revitalize struggling economies.
Gehry's cultural impact extended into popular culture, including a memorable 2005 episode of The Simpsons where he voiced himself as a character designing a concert hall for the fictional town of Springfield. In the episode, the building's shape was humorously inspired by a crumpled letter. This appearance later "haunted" Gehry, who told The Observer in 2011 that people genuinely believed his real-life designs were inspired by crumpled paper rather than complex mathematical computations.
Following his success in Bilbao, Gehry became highly sought after and designed iconic structures around the globe. His portfolio includes the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park, the Gehry Tower in Germany, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, the world's largest luxury goods company, praised the Paris project, saying, "He bestowed upon Paris and upon France his greatest masterpiece."
Gehry's unpredictable style ensured that no two of his buildings looked alike. Prague's Dancing House, completed in 1996, resembles a glass building folding in on itself. His Hotel Marques in Spain, built in 2006, features thin sheets of wavy, multicolored metal. Meanwhile, his design for a business school in Sydney has been compared to a brown paper bag, showcasing his willingness to embrace unconventional forms.
Another of Gehry's masterpieces, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, features layered metal resembling sails billowing in the wind. When it opened in 2003, critics offered mixed reviews, describing it as a "pile of broken crockery," a "fortune cookie gone berserk," and an "emptied waste basket." In a 2007 interview with The New Yorker, Gehry dismissed his critics with characteristic humor: "At least they're looking!" he quipped.
Tributes have poured in celebrating Gehry's eagerness to discard convention and forge his own creative legacy. Paul Goldberger, author of "Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry," who knew the architect personally, said Gehry wanted to work "until the day he died." Goldberger told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight, "He was one of the very few architects of our time to engage people emotionally. He was all about pushing the envelope... wanting to use the most advanced technology to do the most adventurous things."
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended his "deepest condolences" to Gehry's family and the "many admirers of his work" in an official statement. He added, "His unmistakable vision lives on in iconic buildings around the world." The Bilbao Guggenheim Museum posted a video tribute to Gehry on Instagram, writing, "We will be forever grateful, his spirit and legacy will always remain connected to Bilbao."
Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, their two sons Alejandro and Samuel, and two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina. His revolutionary approach to architecture and his willingness to challenge conventional design principles have left an indelible mark on cities worldwide, ensuring his influence will continue to inspire future generations of architects and designers.
