Gehry Talks: Architecture and Process

by Mildred Friedman, Frank Gehry (Introduction), Michael Sorkin (Contributor)

gehry architecture + process

With the completion of the celebrated Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, architect Frank O. Gehry has entered the pantheon of twentieth-century masters. In this wholly unique new book, a condensed edition of the original volume of the same name, Gehry himself offers extensive and illuminating commentary on various aspects of the processes involved in developing his revolutionary designs, including his influences, clients, use of materials, and new technologies.

Gehry Architecture + Process documents all of his new work of this decade, tracing his evolution from a southern California architect known for his idiosyncratic use of materials and collaboration with local artists, to an international figure whose fluid, hitherto undreamt-of forms surge beyond the aesthetic and technical constraints of the twentieth century. From the titanium-wrapped curves of the Guggenheim Bilbao to the binocular facade of the Chiat-Day Headquarters in California, his innovative structural ideas evoke a sense of freedom and spontaneity while, at the same time, displaying the utmost control. Unbound by guidelines of symmetry or the grid's delineation, his structures spring forth, engaged in a seemingly limitless play of ideas--ever-changing in both the multitudinous combinations of shapes suggested by the form and the depth of the conceptual associations implied by the design. Fish and snake motifs birl upon his building's rippling surfaces, while light follows the asymmetrical trajectories of their metallic folds. Though controversial and daring, his works always possess an elegance that lends warmth and humane scope to each project, regardless of the level of innovation--as evinced in contexts as varying as the complicated, and unrealized, plan of the Lewis House in Lyndhurst, Ohio, or the clarity of the idea behind the Üstra office building in Hannover, Germany.

This generously illustrated presentation features twenty-four projects, including the Chiat-Day Headquarters in Venice, California; the Team Disneyland Administration Building in Anaheim, California; the Vitra Furniture Museum and Factory in Weil am Rhein, Germany; and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The book features insightful essays by editor Mildred Friedman and architecture critic Michael Sorkin, as well as photographs of buildings that have been completed since the publication of the original volume.

Genres: Architecture, Nonfiction, Art

240 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 1999

About the author

Mildred "Mickey" Friedman was an American architecture and design curator and editor of the journal Design Quarterly.

Reviews

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank Gehry designs structures that don't look like anything else. Which, I suppose, is pretty much the definition of "famous architect." His design process is fascinating to watch. The book includes details from preliminary sketches through to finished works. Some of the projects were still pending as the book went to press. The book was also interesting to me in the glimpse it afforded into how complicated nurturing an architectural project from start to finish can be. Most of my sense of the job had been previously informed only by seeing finished buildings, and perhaps a preliminary sketch or two. With this book, I have a new appreciation for the scale of complexity that goes with the job. Fun book!

[Seven Pesos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was almost scared off by the preface (written by Mildred Friedman), I feared the whole book would be masturbatory and lean heavily on flowery, unclear, artist-oriented language (cue the Vietnam flashbacks to liberal arts college). This wasn't the case, as was made clear very quickly once Gehry gets to talking architecture and process (the title of the book). Gehry clearly has a lot going on in his head when developing these projects. I never fully appreciated how much of this creative work involves serious planning and co-ordination between various parties which leads to many compromises, conflicts, and setbacks. Gehry speaks candidly about these things, which I wasn't expecting. I really liked seeing the various scale models and prototypes developed by Gehry and his team for each project. Having heard the name Gehry a lot in my lifetime, I never realized just how many of his projects I have visited without knowing they were all designed by him. It was fascinating to read how the computer enabled higher levels of precision when it comes to getting quotes for materials / labor from contractors, inevitably leading to lower construction costs. No doubt this is all very common practice now, 20 years down the line.

[Leandro Llorente · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely contains personal view of gehry towards his work.

[Hank Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orginally published a few yr.s back I just found and read it. This is a excellent book as Frank Gehry himself shares various aspects of his process of designing; and, for that matter his influences, use of materials, and new techologies he employs.
Maybe more that anyone of this time, Gehry reflects innovation and his constant bravery to reach out beyond the norm, beyond convention and be an explorer. Maybe it was his own, "dumb little house," in ca. that got it going, that got him to think different, to challenge convention.
His rough sketches are of particular beauty and inspiration... and, his story of how he first resisted designing furniture are insights into his process; and, his inspiration which was drawn from his personal interest in 'ice hockey.' I would suggest this is a great primer for understanding and appreciating Frank Gehry and his 'process.'