Frank Gehry, the legendary architect of his era, passes away at the age of 96

LOS ANGELES Frank Gehry, the visionary behind some of the worlds most unconventional and celebrated buildings, has died at the age of 96. Gehry passed away Friday at his Santa Monica home after a brief respiratory illness, according to Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehrys career was marked by his fascination with modern pop art, which inspired a series of highly imaginative structures that earned him international recognition rarely achieved by any architect. His creations include landmarks such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and Berlins DZ Bank Building.

Throughout his life, Gehry received virtually every major architectural accolade. These include the prestigious Pritzker Prize, celebrated for his refreshingly original and distinctly American designs, as well as the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal, the Americans for the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award, and Canadas highest civilian honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

One of Gehrys early inspirations was the Santa Monica pedestrian mall project, which initially sparked his interest in creating bold architectural forms. Though the mall was later remodeled in 2006, giving it a modern outdoor aesthetic, Gehry himself found humor in the change.

Even into his 80s, Gehry remained active, delivering acclaimed buildings that reshaped urban skylines. Notable works include the IAC Building in New York Citys Chelsea district, completed in 2007, resembling a gleaming beehive, and the 76-story New York By Gehry residential tower, which became a striking addition to Lower Manhattan in 2011.

Gehry also dedicated time to education, teaching architecture at his alma mater, the University of Southern California, and previously at Yale and Columbia University.

Despite widespread admiration, Gehrys work was not without critics. Some described his designs as oversized, chaotic structures reminiscent of his childhood scrap-wood creations in Timmins, Ontario. Others labeled certain projects, like the Disney Concert Hall, as tourist-centric or unrefined. His proposal for a memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower also faced opposition from the family for its extravagant metal sculptures and statues, remaining unbuilt as of 2014. Gehry did, however, adjust plans for Facebooks Northern California headquarters at the request of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, favoring a subtler approach.

Author: Gavin Porter