Photos of the famous buildings designed by groundbreaking architect Frank Gehry

LOS ANGELES Renowned architect Frank Gehry, who passed away on Friday at the age of 96, was celebrated for crafting some of the most innovative and imaginative buildings in modern architecture. Throughout his distinguished career, Gehry received nearly every major accolade in the field, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize, praised for work described as refreshingly original and distinctly American. Below is a glimpse at some of his most notable architectural achievements.

Louis Vuitton Foundation, Paris

Opened in 2014 in the Bois de Boulogne park on Paris western edge, the art museum has been described as a magnificent vessel for Paris. Gehry drew inspiration from late 19th-century glass structures and garden architecture. The building integrates seamlessly into the surrounding landscape of woods and gardens, while also experimenting with light and reflective surfaces. Its design features a glass envelope surrounding a cluster of blocks, nicknamed the iceberg, providing both volume and dynamism to the structure.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao, Spain

This modern and contemporary art museum, inaugurated in 1997 along the Nervion River, stands as one of Gehrys most iconic projects. Constructed from titanium, limestone, and glass, the museum has become a landmark destination, attracting over a million visitors annually. The buildings curving exterior and the atrium, topped with a metallic flower over the skylight, highlight Gehrys distinctive approach to form and material.

New World Center, Miami

The concert hall, which opened in 2011, serves as the home of the New World Symphony, an orchestral academy. Its atrium features cascading geometric shapes, curved surfaces, and a six-story vaulted ceiling that floods the space with natural light. The performance hall is noted for its technical sophistication and exceptional acoustics. Gehrys personal connection with Michael Tilson Thomas, co-founder and artistic director laureate of the symphony, inspired his deep commitment to the project. Gehry reportedly wept during a rehearsal, recognizing the uniqueness of the space.

8 Spruce Street, New York

Gehrys first skyscraper, rising 76 stories, opened in 2011 in Manhattans Financial District. The building has been described as a striking masterpiece where artistic expression meets functionality, and at the time of its completion, it was the tallest residential structure in the Western Hemisphere.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles

Situated in downtown Los Angeles, this concert hall opened in 2003 and houses the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Its gleaming, curved exterior reflects the vibrancy and innovation of the city, while the interior was meticulously designed to enhance the auditory experience of concertgoers. Gehry emphasized that the exterior mirrors the interior aesthetic, which was developed with strict acoustical standards to ensure the highest quality musical experience.

Author: Natalie Monroe