[Ed. Note- Do you know this man?
Probably not. My guess is you know his buildings more than you know him.
He made the world a dramatically more beautiful place…]
The search began for a successor to the unofficial title as the greatest living architect Friday with the passing of FRANK GEHRY in Santa Monica, California at the age of 96.
Born in Toronto 🇨🇦 GEHRY moved with his family to California when he was 19. He established himself as the master of building dramatic, flowing structures that were radically designed and composed of everyday materials.
Many of his building look other-worldly. At times it can be hard to appreciate that they are structures, not just unusual looking art installations.
Case in point- his most well known (of many) structures is The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, pictured below.
Despite being born in Canada, GEHRY spent his career working and living in the United States 🇺🇸 but designed structures all over the globe.
Santa Monica, California
Ironically, he only had two designs built in Canada. He renovated the Art Museum Of Ontario in 2008. There is another in Manitoba.
Contrary to popular belief, GEHRY did not do the design of the MICHAEL LEE- CHIN CRYSTAL addition to the Royal Ontario Museum on Bloor Street, in Toronto. That was done by DANIEL LIBESKIND 🇵🇱 🇺🇸.
The picture on the front of today’s post is of the WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL (2003) in Los Angeles. Kimberly and I were fortunate to visit this property and dine in Patina Restaurant there twice.
We also ate in 2000 at R23 Sushi Restaurant in LA where we dined on GEHRY designed cardboard chairs.
Anyway, sad passing and I could lecture on, but time for a song.
I originally thought I would use his design for the “Dancing House” in Prague as the muse for the song.
However, I also looked at the artists in my collection that referenced architecture. I immediately came up with the first LP by IST IST 🇬🇧 from 2020 titled “Architecture” .
I also thought about the classic 1981 LP from ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK 🇬🇧 entitled “Architecture and Morality.”
But in the end I settled on an interesting GEHRY never-was connection.
He proposed what was hoped to be a GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM for Helsinski, Finland.
It was rejected by municipal authorities based on cost. I am sure they wish they had that museum today to attract tourists.
Anyway, there is an outfit in my collection that fits today’s rambling…
ARCHITECTURE IN HELSINKI 🇦🇺 hailed Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne. They released 5 LPs over 10 years commencing in 2003.
I have selected the song “Souvenirs” from their debut LP “Fingers Crossed”(2003) as the band name and the lyrics fit this story. Enjoy. Thanks for the designs Frank.
SPOTIFY-
https://open.spotify.com/track/1Xu5aGYZcdO5eELdyppej4?si=NUxTr02XQRG00VFbipU9Fw
(SONG 1387)
Play Loud, Build Well
12/7/2025
underground365 
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