Renowned architect and designer Frank Gehry passes away at the age of 96

Frank Gehry, the legendary Canadian-American architect celebrated for his bold and unconventional designs, has died at 96 following a brief respiratory illness. He passed away at his Santa Monica, California home, according to Meaghan Lloyd of Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehrys creations transformed modern architecture, blending artistry with functional spaces in ways rarely seen. His signature style, influenced by contemporary pop art, produced some of the worlds most iconic structures, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlins DZ Bank Building. He also contributed to the expansion of Facebooks Northern California headquarters at the request of CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Over his career, Gehry received virtually every major architecture award, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize, the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal, the Americans for the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Companion of the Order of Canada.

Early Career and Breakthrough

After earning an architecture degree from the University of Southern California in 1954 and serving in the Army, Gehry pursued urban planning studies at Harvard University. His early professional life was challenging, with work on public housing and shopping centers, and even a stint as a delivery driver. His breakthrough came when he transformed his own 1920s bungalow with unconventional materials, signaling the creative vision he would bring to future projects.

Architectural Legacy

Gehry continued to innovate throughout his career. His firm, Gehry Partners LLP, founded in 1962, grew to over 130 employees, though Gehry personally oversaw every project. Notable works include the IAC Building in New York City, designed to resemble a shimmering beehive, and the 76-story New York by Gehry residential tower. He also taught architecture at the University of Southern California, Yale, and Columbia University.

Reception and Criticism

While Gehrys work was widely celebrated, some critics dismissed his designs as excessive or whimsical. For instance, the Disney Hall drew mixed opinions, with some likening it to soggy cardboard boxes. Despite criticism, Gehry remained steadfast in his creative vision and often engaged playfully with detractors, appearing in a 2005 episode of The Simpsons as himself.

Personal Life and Early Influences

Born Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto on February 28, 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles in 1947 and later became a U.S. citizen. Encouraged by a college ceramics teacher, he realized his potential as an architect at age 20. Despite his achievements, Gehry often described himself as more of a builder than an artist, maintaining humility about his success throughout his life.

Ongoing Legacy

The Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, initially proposed in 2006, is set to be completed in 2026, further cementing Gehrys influence on global architecture. He is survived by his wife, Berta, daughter Brina, sons Alejandro and Samuel, and the many structures he created. Another daughter, Leslie Gehry Brenner, passed away in 2008.

Author: Chloe Ramirez