Frank Gehry, RIP. Visionary or eccentric?

Frank Gehry changed the way architects design buildings, and his influence was profound. But I’m not sure it was as profound as his disciples claim. He was a wonderful sculptor, but scaled to the size of buildings, his designs look more spectacle than visionary. As individual works, they are, indeed, dramatic and striking; positioned in cities with other buildings, I often found them unharmonious in their surroundings. (Including Gehry’s own home in his Los Angeles neighborhood). In interviews, Gehry came across as an affable, unpretentious guy who just sees buildings differently and was able to realize his vision. RIP, Mr. Gehry.
“Fred and Ginger building, Prague 1992-1996.
PHOTO: ©The New York Times










