Obituary
Architect Frank Gehry Dies at 96 After Short Illness
He gained global fame with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, in 1997.
Canadian-born American architect Frank Gehry, known for his bold, unconventional designs, has died at 96, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking architecture.
Born in Toronto in 1929, Gehry moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to study architecture at the University of Southern California and later attended Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.
From the start, he challenged traditional architecture, using unusual shapes and industrial materials to turn buildings into sculptural works, beginning with his Santa Monica home renovation.
He gained global fame with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, in 1997, whose sweeping curves helped transform the city and spark the “Bilbao effect.”
Architect Philip Johnson called it “the greatest building of our time.”
RELATED: British Architect Who Designed JKUAT Towers Dies
Gehry also designed some of the world’s most iconic projects, including Chicago’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Gehry Tower in Germany, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris.
Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH, called the latter “his greatest masterpiece, a gift to Paris and France.”
His designs often provoked strong reactions. The Walt Disney Concert Hall was described by critics as “a pile of broken crockery” and “a fortune cookie gone berserk,” to which Gehry replied in 2007, “At least they’re looking!”
Paul Goldberger, author of Building Art: The Life and Work of Frank Gehry, reflected: “He was one of the very few architects of our time to engage people emotionally… wanting to use the most advanced technology to do the most adventurous things.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said: “His unmistakable vision lives on in iconic buildings around the world.” The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao added: “We will be forever grateful; his spirit and legacy will always remain connected to Bilbao.”
Gehry is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, their sons Alejandro and Samuel, and two daughters from a previous marriage, Leslie and Brina.
Architect Frank Gehry Dies at 96 After Short Illness
He gained global fame with the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, in 1997.
Legendary Kenyan Architect David Mutiso Dies at 93
David Mutiso has transformed Kenya’s skyline and left a legacy that will endure.
Hannington Juma Eulogised as a Man of Rare Integrity
Hannington Raburu Juma died after a tragic fall at the Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu.
Fluor Bets on Ex-Bechtel Execs for Semiconductor Blitz
Move signals a strategic push into high-growth, technology-driven markets.
Top Construction Trade Shows to Watch in 2026
Explore some of the biggest construction expos of 2026 worldwide.
$3.3bn Deal Makes WSP Largest US Engineering Firm
WSP highlighted that the deal would open “potential cross-selling opportunities”.