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Architect Frank Gehry passes away at 96
Frank Gehry, the visionary architect renowned for his bold, unconventional designs, has died at the age of 96. His death was confirmed by his chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd, on Saturday.
Early life and career breakthrough
Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry relocated to Los Angeles as a teenager to pursue architecture at the University of Southern California. He later completed advanced studies at Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1956 and 1957. His architectural philosophy took shape early when he redesigned his own Santa Monica home using industrial materials like chain-link fencing, plywood, and corrugated steel-a project that marked his departure from traditional design principles.
Deconstructivism and global acclaim
Gehry's work defied symmetry, embracing fragmented forms and raw materials in a style later dubbed deconstructivism. His use of stainless steel, titanium, and undulating shapes gave his buildings a sculptural quality, blending art and architecture. In 1989, he received the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the field's highest honor, with the jury praising his "highly refined, sophisticated, and adventurous aesthetic." They compared his designs to jazz, noting their improvisational and unpredictable spirit.
The Bilbao effect and iconic projects
Gehry's 1997 Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, became his defining masterpiece. Clad in titanium, limestone, and glass, the museum transformed the city's economy and cultural landscape, sparking the so-called "Bilbao effect"-a phenomenon where bold architectural investment revitalizes urban areas. The success led to commissions worldwide, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, and Prague's Dancing House.
"He bestowed upon Paris and upon France his greatest masterpiece."
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH
Legacy of innovation and humor
Gehry's designs often drew polarizing reactions. Critics described the Walt Disney Concert Hall as a "pile of broken crockery" or an "emptied waste basket," but Gehry embraced the attention. "At least they're looking!" he remarked in a 2007 New Yorker interview. His later work incorporated aerospace-grade 3D modeling to craft complex, wind-responsive structures, a technique few architects dared to attempt due to its cost and difficulty.
In a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, Gehry voiced himself, parodying the Bilbao effect. The gag-where his concert hall design was inspired by a crumpled letter-later became a persistent misconception, much to his amusement.
Tributes pour in
Paul Goldberger, author of Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry, remembered him as an architect who "wanted to work until the day he died." Goldberger told BBC Radio 4's The World Tonight that Gehry "engaged people emotionally" and "pushed the envelope" with advanced technology.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered condolences, calling Gehry's vision "unmistakable" and noting its enduring impact on cities globally. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao shared a video tribute, writing on Instagram, "His spirit and legacy will always remain connected to Bilbao."
Family and survivors
Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, and four children: daughters Leslie and Brina from his first marriage, and sons Alejandro and Samuel.
