Iconic Architect Frank Gehry Passes Away at 96, Leaving Legacy

Frank Gehry, the renowned architect celebrated for his innovative and sculptural designs, has died at the age of 96. His passing was confirmed by his chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd, on March 28, 2023. Gehry’s work significantly influenced modern architecture, with his most notable achievement being the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which opened in 1997 and is often credited with revitalizing the city’s economy through what is known as the “Bilbao effect.”

Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager, where he pursued his architectural studies at the University of Southern California. He later completed postgraduate work at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Gehry established his own practice, quickly distinguishing himself from traditional architectural norms by embracing asymmetry, unconventional materials, and raw surfaces. This innovative approach later evolved into what is known as deconstructivism.

His breakthrough came when he transformed his Santa Monica home using materials such as chain-link fencing and corrugated metal. Gehry’s use of advanced 3D modelling techniques, adapted from aerospace engineering, enabled him to create sweeping, curvaceous structures that were previously thought to be impossible.

In recognition of his contributions to the field, Gehry received the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1989. The award jury commended his “highly refined, sophisticated and adventurous aesthetic,” likening his work to jazz for its improvisatory qualities. Gehry’s designs became landmarks across the globe, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, the Gehry Tower in Germany, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, the Dancing House in Prague, and the Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Spain.

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, constructed from titanium, glass, and limestone, remains one of the greatest architectural achievements of the modern era. Architect Philip Johnson once hailed it as “the greatest building of our time.” Gehry’s distinctive style, characterized by fluid and unpredictable designs, captured public imagination and, at times, became the subject of parody. His appearance on The Simpsons, where a crumpled piece of paper supposedly inspires a building design, became a cultural reference point that he admitted “haunted” him, despite the complexities behind his actual work.

Tributes have poured in from various corners of the world following his death. Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, referred to Gehry’s Paris building as “his greatest masterpiece.” Author and architecture critic Paul Goldberger remarked that Gehry was “one of the few architects to engage people emotionally,” noting that he continued to work with full creative energy until the end.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney extended condolences to Gehry’s family, stating that his vision “lives on in iconic buildings around the world.” The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao also paid tribute to Gehry, asserting that his legacy “will always remain connected to Bilbao.”

Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera; two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina; and two sons, Alejandro and Samuel. His passing marks the end of an era for architecture, yet his influence will endure through the transformative impact of his work on cities and communities worldwide.