The architectural world is in mourning following the death of Frank Gehry, the visionary behind some of the planet's most extraordinary and celebrated buildings. He was 96 years old.
Gehry passed away on Friday at his Santa Monica home after a brief respiratory illness, confirmed Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at his firm, Gehry Partners LLP. His passing marks the end of an era for a designer who achieved a level of global fame rarely seen in the field of architecture.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Acclaim
Born Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto on 28 February 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles in 1947. His path to stardom was not immediate. After earning his architecture degree from the University of Southern California in 1954 and studying urban planning at Harvard, he faced a slow start, designing public housing and even driving a delivery truck to make ends meet.
A pivotal moment came when a developer, celebrating the completion of a conventional Santa Monica mall Gehry had designed, visited the architect's home. He was astonished to find Gehry had transformed a 1920s bungalow with chain-link fencing and corrugated metal. When asked why he hadn't proposed such creativity for the mall, Gehry famously replied, "Because I have to make a living." Encouraged to follow his vision, he did so relentlessly for the rest of his career.
Masterpieces and Major Prizes
Gehry's fascination with modern art fuelled a design language that was refreshingly original. His buildings became iconic landmarks, doubling as stunning public art.
His masterpieces include the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, a structure that transformed the city's fortunes, the sweeping metallic curves of The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlin's DZ Bank Building. In New York, he created the shimmering IAC Building in Chelsea and the 76-story New York By Gehry residential tower.
His work garnered every major honour, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1989, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Gold Medal, and the Companion of the Order of Canada.
Hollywood Connections and Lasting Legacy
Gehry maintained strong ties to Hollywood, counting Brad Pitt among his friends and working on projects for U2's Bono and actor Dennis Hopper. He even appeared on The Simpsons, famously designing a concert hall inspired by a crumpled letter.
Not without critics, who sometimes dismissed his work as oppressive or chaotic, Gehry remained steadfast. He personally oversaw every project from his firm, founded in 1962, which grew to over 130 employees.
His legacy continues with projects like the Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, set to be the world's largest upon its anticipated completion in 2026. Frank Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta, three children, and the indelible architectural landmarks he gifted to the world.
