Architect

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO I
Frank Gehry : The Architect of Modernism
By: SABINA CIRIMWAMI 19/307/BARC-J

BIOGRAPHY
Frank Gehry, born as Frank Owen Goldberg on February 28,

1929, in Toronto, Canada, is a renowned Canadian-American
architect known for his innovative and groundbreaking architectural
designs. He moved to Los Angeles with his family in 1947 and later
changed his name to Frank Gehry.
Gehry studied architecture at the University of Southern California

and Harvard University. After working for several firms, he
established his own practice, Gehry Partners, in 1962. Gehry gained
international recognition for his design of the Guggenheim Museum in
Bilbao, Spain, completed in 1997. This iconic building, characterized
by its undulating curves and titanium cladding, became a symbol of
modern architecture and revitalized the city of Bilbao. Gehry’s other
notable works include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles,
the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, and the Dancing House in
Prague.
STYLE OF FRANK GEHRY
Frank Gehry is known for his deconstructivist style, which challenges traditional architectural conventions and explores the use of
unconventional materials and forms. His designs often feature dynamic shapes, fragmented geometries, and a sense of movement
that defies gravity. Gehry’s buildings are characterized by their sculptural quality and the interplay of light and shadow.
Gehry’s signature use of materials such as titanium, stainless steel, and glass creates visually striking facades that reflect their
surroundings and change appearance depending on the light conditions. His buildings are often described as “sculptures in motion”
due to their fluid forms and expressive gestures.
Biomuseo (Panama City, Panama)) Gehry Tower (Hanover, Germany)

PHILOSOPHY OF FRANK GEHRY
Frank Gehry’s architectural philosophy is rooted in the idea of creating buildings that respond to their context and engage with
their surroundings. He believes in designing spaces that evoke emotion and stimulate the senses, challenging the viewer’s
perception of space and form. Gehry values collaboration with clients, engineers, and artists to push the boundaries of design
innovation.
Gehry is also known for his commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in his projects. He incorporates
sustainable design principles such as natural ventilation, daylighting, and energy-efficient systems to minimize the
environmental impact of his buildings.
Marta Herford (Herford, Germany)
Gehry combined red brick with a gleaming stainless-steel roof
for the Marta Herford contemporary art museum. The design Fondation Louis Vuitton (Paris, France)
incorporates a former textile factory that existed on the site. The shiplike exterior includes 12 glass “sails,” which
cover the concrete-clad gallery spaces.
For the 8,000-square-foot venue, Gehry piled simple simple geometric forms
against a cubic volume, unifying them all with white plaster surfaces and
zinc roofing. A trip to the museum is surely worth the journey for any design
lover
Guggenheim (Bilbao, Spain)
Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Chicago, Illinois) Loyola Law School (Los Angeles, California
)
The Guggenheim’s satellite in Bilbao,
Gehry framed the performance venue in He reimagined Loyola’s downtown Los Angeles site as
Spain multiplied the museum’s
brushed stainless-steel ribbons, which reach out a neo-traditional campus, arranging a stylistically
exhibition space in a mountain of
toward the Great Lawn in the form of steel diverse set of buildings and surrounding them with a
stone, glass, and titanium that follows
piping that also encloses sound distribution knoll-like landscape. During initial design work, a
the contours of the River Nervión.
strategy was developed to allow the expansion of the
campus in several phases, corresponding to the
priorities of the school
Dancing House (Prague, Czech Republic) Opus Hong Kong (Hong Kong) Lou Ruvo Center (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Now, however, the buildings are known more

commonly as Dancing House, partly because The architect based the design of the 12-story the Cleveland Clinic agreed to run the
Gehry didn’t want to “import American Hollywood building on the region’s signature flower, the multifaceted medical center and
kitsch American to Prague.” The 1996 building, bauhinia. The external columns represent research facility, which features a steel-
comprising a cinched volume of metal mesh and bamboo shoots, while petal-shaped balconies clad event space anchored to a clinic
glass and a concrete cylinder, was a take inspiration from the bloom. and office building via a latticework
collaboration between Gehry and local architect courtyard.
Vlado Miluníc.
LESSONS TO LEARN FROM FRANCK
-Innovation:
Frank Gehry’s work exemplifies the power of innovation in architecture. By pushing boundaries and experimenting with new
materials and forms, Gehry has redefined what is possible in architectural design.
-Contextual Sensitivity: Gehry’s emphasis on responding to the context of each project teaches us the importance of
understanding the site-specific conditions and cultural influences that shape a building’s design.
-Collaboration: Gehry’s collaborative approach highlights the value of working closely with a diverse team of experts to
achieve creative solutions that transcend individual perspectives.
IN CONCLUSION
By studying Frank Gehry’s life, style, philosophy, and approach to architecture can inspire architects and designers to think
outside the box, embrace challenges, and create meaningful spaces that resonate with people on an emotional level.

Architect

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Architect

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Architect

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO I

Frank Gehry : The Architect of Modernism

By: SABINA CIRIMWAMI 19/307/BARC-J

Frank Gehry, born as Frank Owen Goldberg on February 28,

Gehry studied architecture at the University of Southern California

Biomuseo (Panama City, Panama)) Gehry Tower (Hanover, Germany)

Now, however, the buildings are known more

You might also like