Frank Gehry's Top 5 Masterpieces You Need to See Worldwide
Simply mentioning his name brings to mind iconic modern structures featuring unmistakable futuristic designs: Frank Gehry stands as a legend in the architectural realm. His creations—both past and present—are notable for their distinct character and consistent ability to awe spectators.
Only a select few architects possess such global recognition that simply uttering their names evokes vivid mental pictures of groundbreaking designs. Frank Gehry undoubtedly stands among these elite figures. An innovator who consistently pushes boundaries, he has been presenting visionary projects for more than six decades, proving that while architecture is indeed a serious field, it can still maintain an element of fun and whimsy.
Who is Frank Gehry, the designer?
Frank Gehry, born in Toronto in 1929, was an American-Canadian architect who started studying architecture in Los Angeles in 1947. He began his professional journey working with several companies initially handling domestic and business ventures. By the 1960s, he launched his own architectural practice which later evolved into what we know today as Gehry Partners LLP, focusing increasingly on large-scale initiatives throughout this period.
His career took a significant turn with the renovation of his home in 1978, known as the Gehry Residence in Santa Monica. For this project, Frank Gehry opted for industrial materials like plywood, metal, and corrugated steel. This endeavor is frequently considered an architectural manifesto by the designer.
In 1989, he received the esteemed award for Pritzker Prize - akin to a Nobel Prize for architects - and proceeded to secure various accolades throughout his career recognizing his contributions to modern architecture.
Aside from his notable accomplishments in architecture, Frank Gehry is deeply committed to education and has shared his knowledge as an instructor at various renowned institutions such as Yale University and UCLA.
What characterizes Frank Gehry's approach to architecture?
An innovative architect renowned for his unorthodox architectural style, marked by irregular shapes, non-traditional materials, and a design philosophy that emphasizes sculptural elements, Frank Gehry’s creations are frequently labeled as deconstructivist.
His designs are distinguished by their smooth contours, flowing surfaces, and daring application of reflective materials like titanium, stainless steel, and glass. He conceived these structures as complete works of art that can be inhabited, seamlessly blending with the surroundings and reflecting the cultural ambitions of the surrounding community.
Five must-see creations by Frank Gehry that you should visit
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain
Launched in 1997, this museum of modern art, featuring its flowing shapes and striking materials, has dramatically reshaped the landscape. Bilbao has even single-handedly revitalized the city’s economy—a phenomenon now widely referred to as the "Bilbao effect" or the "Guggenheim effect."
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Abandoibarra Etorb., 2, Abando,
48009 Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain
+34 944 35 90 80
guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en
The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles
Launched in 2003, this structure serves as the residence for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Featuring a facade made of stainless steel and an acoustically superior interior layout, it stands out as a testament to Frank Gehry's remarkable architectural skills.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, California 90012, United States
+1 323-850-2000
laphil.com/about/our-venues/about-the-walt-disney-concert-hall
The Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris
Like a ship moored incongruously in the middle of the Bois de Boulogne, the Fondation Louis Vuitton Captivates us with its contemporary, lyrical design. Opened in 2014, this edifice consists of twelve glass sails held up by a steel skeleton, hovering over the primary structure. It is a stunning sight to behold.
Fondation Louis Vuitton
8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi
75116 Paris
+33 (0) 1 40 69 96 00
fondationlouisvuitton.fr/en
The Museum of Popular Culture (MoPOP) located in Seattle, Washington
Known as the Experience Music Project | Science Fiction Museum (EMP|SFM) Until 2016, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) was renowned for its vibrant, irregular design featuring striking curved forms that evoke a disassembled electric guitar.
Museum of Pop Culture
325 5th Ave N
Seattle, WA 98109, United States
+1 206-770-2700
mopop.org/
The Dance House in Prague
Created in partnership with Czech architect Vlado Milunić, the design was developed. Dancing House has turned into a symbolic structure in Prague , readily identifiable due to its undulating, meandering profile, reminiscent of a duo of dancers. Actually, Frank Gehry initially referred to it as Ginger and Fred with regard to the renowned 20 th dancers from the century Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Dancing House
Jiráskovo nám. 1981/6
120 00 Nové Mě sto, Czech Republic