Frank Gehry: Architectural Visionary and Pritzker Prize Winner Dies at 96

Frank Gehry, recipient of every major architectural prize and creator of some of the world's most imaginative buildings, has passed away at age 96.

The renowned architect died on Friday at his Santa Monica residence following a short respiratory illness, according to Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP.

Gehry's illustrious career was marked by his fascination with modern pop art, which inspired his extraordinarily innovative architectural designs that garnered him unprecedented global recognition in the field.

His remarkable portfolio includes iconic structures such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain; The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles; and Berlin's DZ Bank Building.

Throughout his career, Gehry accumulated prestigious accolades including the Pritzker Prize—architecture's highest honor—for work described as "refreshingly original and totally American." His other distinctions include the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal, the Americans for the Arts lifetime achievement award, and Canada's highest honor, the Companion of the Order of Canada.

In 2006, when news emerged that the Santa Monica mall project—a turning point in his early career—might face demolition, Gehry responded with amusement: "They're going to tear it down now and build the kind of original idea I had." The mall was eventually remodeled with a contemporary outdoor design, though not reflective of Gehry's signature style.

Well into his eighties, Gehry continued producing acclaimed buildings that transformed skylines worldwide. The IAC Building in New York's Chelsea district, completed in 2007, resembles a shimmering beehive. The 76-story New York By Gehry tower, one of the world's tallest residential structures, dramatically enhanced Lower Manhattan's skyline upon its 2011 completion.

That same year, Gehry joined the University of Southern California, his alma mater, as an architecture professor. Throughout his career, he also taught at prestigious institutions including Yale and Columbia University.

Despite his acclaim, Gehry's work attracted criticism. Some detractors compared his designs to oversized versions of the scrap-wood structures he built as a child in Timmins, Ontario. Princeton art critic Hal Foster described many of his later works as "oppressive" tourist attractions, while others likened the Disney Hall to rain-soaked cardboard boxes.

Additional controversy surrounded his design for the Dwight D. Eisenhower memorial. The Eisenhower family objected to Gehry's elaborate proposal featuring multiple statues and metal tapestries depicting the president's life, preferring a simpler memorial. Gehry largely refused to alter his design, and as of 2014, the memorial remained unbuilt with planning officials requesting revisions.

Gehry did, however, agree to modify his design for Facebook's Northern California headquarters at CEO Mark Zuckerberg's request for a more understated appearance.