On the occasion of Frank Gehry’s passing, our members share memories of visiting many of his noteworthy buildings. The AIA Gold Medalist is one of a handful of architects known by the general population, whose iconic work has revitalized communities around the world.
Mr. Gehry was widely considered a leading “Starchitect,” a term for famous architects whose signature styles attract global attention and often become city landmarks. However, he personally disliked the label, preferring to be seen just as an architect who made buildings joyful and accessible. His Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao cemented his status, creating the “Bilbao Effect” of urban revitalization through iconic architecture, even as he maintained his artistic integrity and disdain for being just a brand
AIA Components across the country have featured tours including Gehry’s projects, including the Santa Monica House and Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the New World Center in Miami, the IAC Building and 8 Spruce in NYC, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago, and the Stata Center at MIT.
Members have also noted visits to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD, the Fisher Center at Bard College in New York, the Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, and the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle.
International adventures have taken our members to see the Guggenheim Museums in Bilbao and Abu Dhabi as well as the Dancing House in Prague.
