Legendary Architect Frank Gehry Dies at 96, Leaving a Legacy of Iconic Designs

Frank Gehry, widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century, has passed away at the age of 96.

Renowned for his experimental and avant-garde approach, Gehry gained global recognition with his titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which became an architectural sensation in 1997.

His early breakthrough came when he redesigned his Santa Monica, California home using unconventional materials such as plywood, chain-link fencing, and corrugated steel, marking the beginning of his deconstructivist style.

Gehry’s death was confirmed by his chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd. He is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, their two sons, Alejandro and Samuel, and two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina.

Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to study architecture at the University of Southern California, later attending the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1956-57.

After establishing his own firm, he broke away from traditional architectural norms, favoring irregular geometric shapes and unfinished materials. Gehry’s buildings often feature striking sculptural forms, curving exteriors, and innovative material combinations such as stainless steel.

Later in his career, Gehry employed advanced 3D modeling techniques, akin to those used in aerospace engineering, to design complex structures that most architects avoided due to their cost and difficulty.

In 1989, Gehry received the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize, with the jury praising his "sophisticated, highly refined, and adventurous aesthetic." They likened his designs to jazz, with improvisation and lively unpredictability.

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao became an international icon, revitalizing the city’s economy and tourism. Made of titanium, limestone, and glass, the museum was hailed as a modern masterpiece.

American architect Philip Johnson called it "the greatest building of our time," and its success inspired the so-called “Bilbao effect,” where bold cultural projects were seen as catalysts for economic growth.

Gehry even made a guest appearance as himself on a 2005 episode of The Simpsons, humorously depicting a concert hall inspired by a crumpled piece of paper—a misconception he later clarified was far from the sophisticated computations behind his real designs.

Frank Gehry’s legacy endures in the form of daring, sculptural, and innovative architecture that continues to inspire generations worldwide.