Before delving into the floor plan, it is essential to understand the project's origins. In 1977, Frank Gehry and his wife, Berta, purchased an unassuming, two-story Dutch Colonial bungalow built around 1920 in a quiet Santa Monica neighborhood. The existing house was a typical suburban home, but Gehry had a radical vision. Rather than demolishing it, he decided to use it as the core of an experimental work of art. The following year, with a modest budget of $50,000 and a team including project designer Paul Lubowicki, Gehry began a transformation that would become a landmark of deconstructivist architecture.
It read: I like the 88-degree kitchen. Don’t straighten it.
The Gehry Residence, designed by the renowned Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, is a testament to innovative design and boundary-pushing architecture. Completed in 1984, this striking residence in Santa Monica, California, has become an iconic representation of Deconstructivist architecture, a style characterized by unconventional forms, irregular shapes, and experimental materials. In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating story behind the Gehry Residence floor plan, exploring its design, features, and enduring influence on modern architecture. gehry residence floor plan
The Gehry Residence is a manifestation of Frank Gehry's design philosophy, which emphasizes:
Would you like to know more about Frank Gehry's design philosophy or the historical context of the Gehry Residence? Before delving into the floor plan, it is
The foundational logic of the Gehry Residence floor plan relies on the concept of symbiosis and collision. Gehry did not demolish the original 1920s suburban house. Instead, he left it largely intact and built a new, asymmetrical structure around three sides of it.
The Gehry Residence in Santa Monica, California, stands as one of the most celebrated and debated icons of modern architecture. Designed by Frank Gehry for his family in the late 1970s, this radical house effectively launched the movement known as Deconstructivism. Rather than building a new structure from scratch, Gehry wrapped an existing, conventional Dutch Colonial house in an avant-garde shell of cheap, industrial materials like chain-link fencing, corrugated metal, and unpainted plywood. Rather than demolishing it, he decided to use
Gehry used warping facades to create a "tumbling" effect, making spaces appear to move and shift. 5. Evolution of the Residence
Deconstructing the Gehry Residence Floor Plan: A Masterclass in Architectural Chaos and Context
The materials used in the addition are as unconventional as the floor plan. Gehry employed "mundane materials not traditionally used in high architecture, such as corrugated steel, plywood, and chain-link fencing—materials you might find at a construction site or at a hardware store". This "cheap tech" aesthetic stood in stark contrast to the traditional neighborhood. The chain-link fencing, in particular, was a novel choice; critic Paul Goldberger noted that Gehry's "goal was not to provoke irritation but recognition that chain link is a ubiquitous material". This radical material palette was integral to achieving the home's raw, unfinished look.
The use of glass cubes and skylights creates patio-like spaces that make the interior feel like it is part of the exterior landscape.