Why Frank Gehry is an icon of architecture

Since the early 1960s, the world of architecture faced a storm of cultural transformation coming from Canada and the United States. Pushing apart all the traditional, conventional norms, it destroyed all the old and boring and influenced to create and invent. This storm had a name, and it’s Frank Gehry. He was a living icon of architecture that even created an economic phenomenon.

FRED AND GINGER, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

Fred and Ginger also knew as the Dance House is considered as one of the most iconic and controversial creations of Gehry. Located in the Chech Capital, the unusual shape of the buildings have made the old town and iconic.

According to Gehry, Fred and Ginger came into being because of the audacity he had when he thought of implementing two modern dancing buildings in the city that do not fit in with its classical look. The dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers inspired Gehry for this masterpiece and hence the name ‘Fred and Ginger’.

2 MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

At a glance, this dazzling construction looks like it is melting in the sun. In Seattle, the museum of pop culture is a structure inspired by the rock music and the energy it embodies. Gehry mentioned that he even bought and used guitar pieces so it will create a form and inspiration

3 MARQUÉS DE RISCAL HOTEL, ELCIEGO, SPAIN

Apart from its famous wine, the small town Elciego is also famous for this extravagant and boundary-breaking work of Gehry’s. This is one of the luxurious hotels in Spain and looks like a game changer in the industry. 4 STATA CENTER, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS This is a building designed for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a place surrounded by legends. Since the construction of this building in 2004, it has attracted more tourists and now it has become a legend of its own.

5 LOU RUVO CENTER, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

Lou Ruvo is a centre for brain health and a project started by a businessman with the same name who lost his father because of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.

6 WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Inspired by Gehry’s passion for sailing and the wind, this was a long project which took over 15 years. When it was finally over in 2003,the estimated the project cost was $274 million. But according to the critiques it was worth the wait and money.

7 THE FISH, BARCELONA, SPAIN

This eye-catching sculpture was presented to the world 1992 while Barcelona was preparing for the Olympics held in the same year. Other than that it looks like a colossal abstract fish, the metal used in this sculpture reflects sunlight and so it changes colours and looks even more stunning in real life.

8 MARTA HERFORD, HERFORD, GERMANY

This building that was a former textile factory was later converted into a contemporary art museum. At a glance, it looks like something built out of clay on Mars.

9 WEISMAN ART MUSEUM IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

This is a piece of abstract art in the form of a building. As a part of the University of Minnesota’s campus, this amazing structure is not only eye-catching but also significant because it was constructed before using computer became an essential tool in architecture.

10 THE IAC BUILDING, NEW YORK

If you are planning to visit New York, this Iac building should definitely be on your bucket list. Going with a different taste, this creation of Gehry’s has no sparkly and shiny sheet-metal in sight. Some say the building reassembles the sails of a ship but for some, it is conceptually closest to an iceberg resting in the ocean named New York.

11 BINOCULARS BUILDING, VENICE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Originally named as the Chiat/ Day building, People soon called it the Binoculars building for all the obvious reasons. This building is an addition to the building which is an original artwork designed by Claes Oldenburg.

12 PETER B. LEWIS BUILDING, CLEVELAND, OHIO

This is a building used as a classroom for the Weatherhead School of Management’s students. Named after a famous philanthropist and the CEO of an insurance company, this building is highly admired by its students and staff.

13 FRANK GEHRY’S RESIDENCE IN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA

As for his own house, it carries all the unique qualities of Gehry as an architect which is postmodern, avant-garde, unconventional, striking, eclectic, and chaotic. This is a never escaping eye-catching site from passers-by and also the start of Gehry’s career.

14 RICHARD B. FISHER CENTER, ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK

Also described as the “Best small concert in the United States”, the Richard B. Fisher Center was opened in 2003. Even though it looks small seeing through a picture, it has two theatres and several rehearsing studios. Fitting with the subject, the building is in harmony with nature which is an idea by Gehry to go green while reducing the need for fossil fuels.

15 THE CINÉMATHÈQUE FRANÇAISE, PARIS, FRANCE

This is an ideal place for movie lovers. As one of the world’s largest collection of movie-related objects, this is one of the most favourite destinations in Paris that was designed by Frank Gehry