Legendary Architect Frank Gehry Has Died Aged 96
Leaving behind a lifetime of influential work.
Visionary architect Frank Gehry has died at his home in Santa Monica, aged 96.
The news of his death was confirmed by his chief of staff to the New York Times, and was attributed to a brief respiratory illness.
Best known for the shimmering, titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Gehry redefined the potential of urban skylines, turning architecture into a fluid, sculptural experience.
His other landmark works, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Fondation Louis Vuitton, cemented his status as the most significant architect of his generation, and made him an international household name.
By many, the Pritzker Prize laureate’s style has been described as undefinable, but it often featured unexpected materials applied to create both organic and industrial forms.
Reflecting on his approach to design and the human experience, Gehry told Alta Journal earlier this year: “First, I ask, What do you want to do in this space? Is it a library, a museum, a residence, an art gallery, a garage, an office?”
“The second thing I say: Tell me about the emotion you want to feel. I will deliver a building that meets your program and respects your emotional goals.”
Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta, and their children.
