Honored on its completion by, among others, The New York Times‘ Paul Goldberger, the Gehry House exudes the irreverent, DIY spirit of the designer during the early phase of his career. Humble materials like wooden 2X4′s and chain-link fencing wind in a series of seemingly arbitrary configurations around the shell of a conventional suburban house. As the AIA noted in its commendation, “The exposed structure, chaotic fusion of disparate materials, and aggressive juxtaposition of old and new communicate a sense of real-time formal evolution and conflict.”
Though doubtless causing some consternation among its neighbors (one of whom is rumored to have shot a bullet through a window), the house instantly caught the attention of the architecture world. In 1988, it was included by Philip Johnson in the Museum of Modern Art’s Deconstructivist Architecture exhibition, helping to launch Gehry into the starchitectural stratosphere.
The architect will receive the award at the AIA’s National Convention in May of this year.
*images Tim Street-Porter//text DesignWire
When i lived in LA i would often make a day of finding all the amazing homes and buildings that display rather unusual architecture. Frank Gehry's home in Santa Monica was one of the more frequented. It has changed form quite a bit since he orignialy moved in...and what an interesting form it has become.
California was where i became so sure i was destined to be apart of the design world. Having a plethora of world renown architects and designers out your door was so comforting...i felt there was never a day i couldn't easily be reminded, through lectures, classes, installations, openings, museums, buildings & homes...why i chose this industry to be apart of my life's work.
