Frank Gehry, the architect, passed away at the age of 96.

Frank Gehry, an architect responsible for some of the most iconic works of contemporary architecture, passed away this Friday (5), at the age of 96. Globally recognized for his sculptural language and for challenging the boundaries between art and construction, Gehry built a career marked by experimentation, international visibility, and lasting urban impact. The architect passed away at his home in Santa Monica after a recent respiratory condition, according to his team. His legacy remains alive in buildings that have become architectural symbols, such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Dancing House in Prague, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.

Life and Career of Frank Gehry

Frank Gehry was born as Ephraim Owen Goldberg on February 28, 1929, in Toronto, Canada. In 1947, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he later became a naturalized U.S. citizen. The architect adopted the name Frank Gehry at a young age at the suggestion of his first wife, in a context where his Jewish surname could limit professional opportunities.

Despite an early interest in design and model making, Gehry only defined architecture as a career when he entered academic life. He graduated as an architect from the University of Southern California in 1954. After his service in the Army, he also studied urban planning at Harvard University. Over the decades, he maintained active and relevant production until over 80 years of age, with projects executed in different countries.

Most Famous Projects

Frank Gehry's work is characterized by dynamically shaped volumes, expressive use of metals, and curvilinear surfaces that appear to be in constant motion. His interest in contemporary art, especially pop art, directly influenced his way of conceiving buildings as true inhabitable sculptures.

Among his most emblematic projects are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which transformed the urban landscape of the Spanish city and became a global reference for urban redevelopment; the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles; and the DZ Bank Building, in Berlin.

Gehry was also responsible for the expansion of Facebook's headquarters in California, at the invitation of Mark Zuckerberg himself. Among his more personal works is the Gehry Residence, his house built in the 1970s, which combines traditional elements with an apparently fragmented structure, creating an architectural effect of controlled deconstruction. His creative journey is closely portrayed in the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry (2005). The film offers an intimate look at his processes, sketches, and decisions. The production also marks the debut of Sydney Pollack, a personal friend of the architect, in directing documentaries.

Recognition and Awards

Throughout his career, Frank Gehry received the top recognitions in international architecture. The Pritzker Prize, considered the most prestigious in the field, was awarded to the architect in recognition of a work described as innovative, daring, and deeply connected to American identity.

In addition, Gehry was honored with the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal, received awards for his body of work in the United States, and was named Companion of the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors granted in his home country. His journey synthesizes an authorial, experimental architecture that profoundly transforms urban landscapes.