Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the last century, has died aged 96.
Gehry was acclaimed for his avant garde, experimental style of architecture. His titanium-covered design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, catapulted him to fame in 1997.
His breakthrough in the architectural world came years earlier when he redesigned his own home in Santa Monica, California, using materials like chain-link fencing, plywood, and corrugated steel.
His death was confirmed by his chief of staff Meaghan Lloyd. He is survived by two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina, as well as his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, and their two sons, Alejandro and Samuel.
Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to study architecture at the University of Southern California, completing further study at the Harvard Graduate School of Design in 1956 and 1957. After starting his own firm, he broke from traditional architectural principles of symmetry, using unconventional geometric shapes and unfinished materials in a style known as deconstructivism.
Gehry's international breakthrough with the Guggenheim transformed the city of Bilbao, boosting tourism to the city and the local economy. Crafted out of titanium sheets, limestone, and glass, the museum was instantly celebrated as a modern marvel.
His work in Bilbao put him in high demand, leading to the design of other iconic structures like the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. With largely unpredictable styles, no two of his works look the same, showcasing his flair for blending unexpected materials into sculptural forms.
Tributes have flooded in following his passing, celebrating his keen insight into architectural forms and his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of design. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his condolences and highlighted Gehry's legacy through iconic buildings worldwide.
