Week 11 - Case Study - Frank Gehry 'Gughheim Museum' Bilbao, Spain

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The New Guggenheim Museum found in Bilbao Spain and designed by Architect Frank Gehry shows a uniquely modernistic approach to an artistic landmark. Taking for years for overall construction, Gehry combines the outdoors with the in, through large glass doors and titanium “fish like scales” elements.

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Image 6 Source: Bruggen, Frank O. Gehry: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1998.

Image 7 Source: Bruggen, Frank O. Gehry: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1998.

The museum opened first opened on the 19th October 1997 housing many of the world’s treasured works my hundreds of artists. The Structure itself was constructed of a steel frame plated with titanium sheeting. Frank Gehry applied his unique style of geometric deconstruction to the Guggenheim Bilbao clients with the intention to portray the structure not only as home for art, but a sculpture in its own, a architectural landmark to deter from economic downturn and bring people and the reputation back to Bilbao.

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The site itself is located at the end of the Nervion riverbank of Biscay, North Spain, where the country’s manufacturing, shipping and commerce centres reside and where a large highway overpass crosses. The many connections to the museum and city hall are reinforced in the design scheme between the walkways, plazas, the river front and public spaces. Gehrys structure takes from the surrounding buildings across the road and river, the tall tower at the east end and capturing the overpass and brings it all together, making as if it were one structure.

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Image 12 Source: Bruggen, Frank O. Gehry: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1998.

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The museum was designed for a 24,290m2 world class modern art museum with a 10,560m2 space reserved for exhibitions over three floors (permanent collection, permanent site and specific installation, temporary exhibition) separated by suspended walkways and glass elevators. With a 400 seat auditorium, restaurant, cafe, retail, central atrium and many other public facilities, the Guggenheim Bilbao is Spain’s Palace.

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Image 15 Source:Bruggen, Frank O. Gehry: Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, 1998.

The structure defies time by the way elements are focused on the ununiformed landscape. The design so futuristic yet designed 13 years ago. Frank Ghery’s Guggenheim portrays that of a uniquely justified and creative genius who has created a beautiful and seamless piece of architecture taking in all its surroundings and becoming that of the landscape.

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Image 17 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 18 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 19 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 20 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 21 Source: Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 22 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Image 23 Source:Frank Gehry 1991-1995, 1995.

Sources:

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/guggenheimbilbao/index.html (Accessed September 29, 2010).

http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao (Accessed September 29, 2010).

http://www.culturevulture.net/ArtandArch/Bilbao.htm (Accessed September 29, 2010).

http://www.arcspace.com/architects/gehry/Guggenheim_Museum/ (Accessed September 29, 2010).