Welcome to a deep dive into the fascinating world of Frank Gehry and Postmodern Architecture. This article will explore the life and groundbreaking work of Frank Gehry, examining how his innovative designs, particularly his own residence in Santa Monica, California, became synonymous with the Postmodern movement and the challenging spirit of Deconstructivism. Understanding Gehry's architectural philosophy is crucial for students studying contemporary design and its historical context.
Who is Frank Gehry? An Architect Challenging Norms
Frank Owen Gehry, born Ephraim Owen Goldberg in Toronto, Canada in 1929, is an internationally acclaimed architect known for his distinctive, sculptural buildings. His journey into architecture began after his family moved to Los Angeles in 1947, where he studied at Los Angeles City College and later earned an architecture scholarship to the University of Southern California, graduating in 1954. After serving in the Air Force and studying city planning at Harvard, Gehry worked in Paris, immersing himself in the work of Le Corbusier before returning to LA to establish Gehry Partners in 1962.Gehry's innovative approach earned him the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1989, cementing his international reputation. He is often associated with a group of highly publicized "starchitects," known for their iconic designs. He notably declared in 2014 that "98 per cent of what gets built and designed today is pure shit," underscoring his commitment to meaningful design.
Key Milestones in Gehry's Career- 1952: Apprenticeship at Victor Gruen Associates.- 1954: Graduated from the University of Southern California.- 1962: Established Gehry Partners in Los Angeles.- 1989: Awarded the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest honor.- 1997: Completed the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, a landmark of contemporary architecture.- 2004: Completed the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.- 2005: Made an animated guest appearance on The Simpsons.- 2006: Subject of the documentary Sketches of Frank Gehry.
The Gehry House: A Catalyst for Deconstructivism
Frank Gehry's own residence, located at 1002 22nd Street in Santa Monica, California, stands as a pivotal project in his career and a significant example of Postmodern and Deconstructivist architecture. Purchased in 1977, the original structure was a pink bungalow built in 1920 in the Dutch Colonial style. Gehry's vision was not to demolish but to expand and wrap a new exterior around the existing house, leaving the old structure visible.
Design and Materials: "Cheap Tech" Aesthetics
The Gehry House is characterized by its unconventional and "anti-high-tech" material palette. Gehry explored materials he was already using in other contexts: metal, plywood, chain-link fence, and wood framing. The new enclosure uses corrugated aluminum metal siding, plywood, glass, and chain-link fencing, deliberately featuring randomly slanted lines and angled protrusions. The aesthetic is described as "ordinary builderlike sensibility of parts" and "cluttered expressionistic."Gehry aimed to reveal the building as layers, creating new forms that tilt away from the original. This concept, often likened to the collages of artist Robert Rauschenberg or the "wrapping" idea of Christo, produces a "discontinuous juxtaposition where one system collides with another." Frank Gehry himself noted, "I became fascinated with creating a shell around it [that would] define the house by only showing parts of the old house in an edited fashion.... I began to engage the house in a dialogue by cutting away from it, exposing some parts and covering up others."
Evolution and Reception
The original operation, completed in 1978, involved stripping much of the interior walls back to their stud frames, beams, and rafters. The new structure wrapped around three sides of the old house, extending towards the street, and leaving the existing exterior almost untouched in places. The interior showcased both old and new elements, with exposed joists and wood studs.
In 1991, due to a growing family, Gehry undertook a remodel, aiming to maintain the house's original style despite significant changes. The entrance to the house is described as "barely discernible amidst the jutting angles of the exterior," giving the impression that it is "consistently under construction." While the house attracted serious critical attention, many of Gehry's neighbors were "not happy about the unusual building being built in their neighborhood." Despite controversy, the house remains owned by the Gehry family.
The Gehry House and Deconstructivism
Though Gehry denies the label, the Gehry House is often considered one of the first Deconstructivist buildings. Architectural critics like Paul Heyer noted its adherence to "the spirit of ad-hocism" and its role as a "forerunner of the Deconstructionist spirit of the eighties." The design rejects conventional notions of completeness and refinement, instead embracing a "deliberately unfinished" look and a "collision of parts." The house exemplifies a design approach that sees buildings as sculpture, with freedom from traditional restraints.
Understanding Postmodern Architecture for StudentsPostmodernism is an intellectual, cultural, and artistic movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, largely as a reaction to the perceived failures and limitations of Modernism. It is characterized by a rejection of Modernism's grand narratives, universal truths, and emphasis on rationality and progress.
Key Characteristics of Postmodernism- Pluralism and Fragmentation: Embraces multiple perspectives and broken or discontinuous forms.- Deconstruction: Challenges established structures and underlying assumptions.- Pastiche and Irony: Uses imitation of various styles, often with ironic or humorous intent.- Interest in Popular Culture: Incorporates elements from everyday life and mass media.- Subjective Experience: Prioritizes individual interpretation and cultural context over objective truth.
Postmodernists argue that language is not neutral but bound up with power relations, constantly shaping our understanding of the world. This led to critical theories aiming to expose hidden assumptions behind dominant discourses.
Postmodernism in the Arts
Postmodernism had a profound impact across various artistic disciplines: - Literature: Writers like John Barth and Italo Calvino often rejected traditional narrative structures, employing fragmentation and intertextuality.- Visual Art: Artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol celebrated appropriation, pastiche, and irony, using found objects and pop culture imagery to challenge traditional notions of artistic value.- Architecture: Postmodern architecture moved away from the Modernist emphasis on functionalism and simplicity. Instead, it embraced complexity, ornamentation, and historical references. It often features a mix of styles and unconventional forms, as seen in Gehry's work.
Criticisms of Postmodernism
Despite its many contributions, Postmodernism has been criticized for its emphasis on relativism, its rejection of universal values, and a perceived tendency towards self-referentiality and academic obscurity. Some critics argue it has led to a breakdown of shared cultural values and contributed to a sense of nihilism.
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Other Notable Projects by Frank Gehry
Beyond his own home, Frank Gehry has designed numerous iconic buildings worldwide, showcasing his signature style of dynamic, sculptural forms. These projects further illustrate his influential role in contemporary architecture: - 1987: The Mike and Penny Winton Guest House, Wayzata, MN (later relocated).- 1989: The Marna and Rockwell Schnabel Residence, Los Angeles, CA.- 1996: The Nationale-Nederlanden Building (Ginger and Fred), Prague, Czech Republic, designed with Vlado Milunić.- 1997: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain, a truly transformative cultural landmark.- 2004: The Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA.- 2011: New York By Gehry (Beekman Tower), New York, NY.- 2017: The Frank and Berta Gehry Residence, 316 Adelaide Drive, Santa Monica, CA (a new residence).- 2028: The Mirvish-Gehry Project, Toronto, Canada (two condo towers, commissioned 2012).
Conclusion: Gehry's Lasting Impact
Frank Gehry's work, especially his Santa Monica residence, serves as a powerful illustration of Postmodern Architecture's tenets and the Deconstructivist movement. His willingness to experiment with materials, challenge conventional aesthetics, and create buildings that act as expressive sculptures cemented his legacy as a visionary architect. For students, understanding Gehry's approach provides crucial insight into the evolution of architectural thought and the ongoing dialogue between form, function, and artistic expression.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frank Gehry's Architecture
What defines Frank Gehry's architectural style?
Frank Gehry's style is defined by its sculptural, often fragmented forms, dynamic movement, and unconventional use of materials like corrugated metal, chain-link fencing, and titanium. He views buildings as art, challenging traditional architectural norms and creating a sense of deliberate unfinishedness or collision of parts.
How does the Gehry House exemplify Postmodernism?
The Gehry House exemplifies Postmodernism by rejecting Modernist simplicity and functionalism, instead embracing complexity, fragmentation, and unconventional aesthetics. Its design, which wraps a new exterior around an existing traditional home, highlights themes of juxtaposition, irony, and a dialogue between old and new, characteristic of the Postmodern movement.
What is Deconstructivism in architecture, and is Gehry a part of it?
Deconstructivism is an architectural movement characterized by fragmentation, non-linear design processes, and manipulating a structure's surface. It often appears to "deconstruct" the building, creating deliberate disunity. While Gehry denies being a Deconstructivist, his Santa Monica house is widely considered a seminal work in the movement, influencing its development through its tilted forms and exposed, raw materials.
What are some of Frank Gehry's most famous buildings besides his house?
Some of Frank Gehry's most famous buildings include the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Nationale-Nederlanden Building (Ginger and Fred) in Prague, and the New York By Gehry residential tower in New York City. These structures showcase his iconic, fluid, and often metallic designs that have reshaped urban landscapes worldwide.