How Frank Gehry's Playful Nature Captivated a Generation

Frank Gehry, the celebrated American architect who passed away on December 5 at the age of 96, spent much of his life in a modest bungalow in Santa Monica. Despite its small size, the home showcased an extraordinary mix of materials: plywood, pink stucco, corrugated iron, chain-link fencing, and glass were all visible from the street. Unlike many early homes of famous architects, Gehrys Santa Monica residence has remained largely unchanged, offering a public glimpse of his inventive approach to architecture. Less than ten years ago, he moved to a new home designed by his son Sam, but for many, the Santa Monica house was the first encounter with Gehrys mischievous architectural styleprompting the inevitable question, What is that building?

Over a career spanning six decades, Gehry created more than 70 buildings, ranging from private homes to iconic museums and concert halls. While not every project was universally praised, nearly all commanded attention, injecting a sense of visual surprise into otherwise conventional urban settings. In person, Gehry was remarkably down-to-earth, reflecting a quiet Canadian modesty, often insisting he did not intend to start any architectural movement. Early in his career, when receiving a prestigious California award, he humorously titled his speech, Im Not Weird.

Gehrys designs were ambitious and meticulously planned. Research shows he was among the rare architects who consistently delivered projects on time and within budget. Yet his true strength lay in adaptability, seizing opportunities as they arose. An example of this flexibility occurred during a casual encounter in Paris at a caf, where he enthusiastically discussed his recently completed Fondation Louis Vuitton despite both of us misjudging the nearby Pompidou Centers opening hours.

Perhaps the most defining moment of his career came with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, in the 1990s. Gehry experimented with various metal finishes along the citys river, favoring titanium. Initially too costly, a sudden drop in titanium pricescaused by the Soviet Union selling off reservesallowed Gehrys team to use the material, contributing to the museums iconic look. Reflecting on his approach, he told TIME in 2022, You dont need to spend outrageous sums to create buildings that are meaningful, engaging, and accessible. You just need the desire to do it.

Gehry also adapted French airplane design software to achieve the intricate geometries inspired by fish, which became a hallmark of his work. Critics praised his style as more aligned with the chaos of real life than traditional modernist design, and Gehry himself described it as structural jazz.

Regarding his legacy, Gehry preferred to let his buildings speak on his behalf. On the 25th anniversary of the Bilbao museum, he remarked on the details of his creations: When you look at your old buildings, youre very critical of every little detail. And I love it. I find I love it.

Architecture, much like filmmaking, requires immense trust and resources, with the added complexity that buildings must be functional, comply with numerous regulations, and adapt to local conditions. Despite these challenges, Gehry succeeded in leaving an unmistakable mark on the world, creating structures that are instantly recognizable as his own.

Author: Gavin Porter