Frank Gehry stands as one of architecture’s most revolutionary figures, known for his distinctive Frank Gehry houses that challenge traditional design. Born Frank Owen Goldberg in 1929 in Toronto, Canada, he later changed his name to avoid antisemitism. His journey to architectural stardom began with modest beginnings, playing in his grandfather’s hardware store where his fascination with building materials first sparked.
After moving to California, Gehry studied architecture at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1954. His early career consisted of working for various Los Angeles architectural firms before establishing his practice in 1962. During these formative years, his work remained relatively conventional.
The turning point in Gehry’s approach came in the 1970s when he began experimenting with unconventional materials and forms. His design philosophy embraced architecture as sculpture, treating buildings as artistic expressions rather than mere functional structures. This approach rejected modernism’s clean lines in favor of complex, seemingly chaotic forms.
The Gehry Residence
The Gehry Residence in Santa Monica became Frank Gehry’s first breakthrough. In 1977, Frank and Berta Gehry purchased a pink bungalow built in 1920. Rather than demolishing the original Dutch Colonial structure, he made the radical decision to build around it, creating what many consider one of the earliest examples of deconstructivist architecture.
Gehry wrapped the existing house with corrugated metal, plywood, chain-link fencing, and glass. He left parts of the original house visible, creating a striking contrast between old and new. The interior underwent a significant transformation, too, with some areas stripped to expose joists and wood studs, making the house appear perpetually under construction.
The neighbors were outraged by this architectural rebellion. One neighbor reportedly shot at the house one night in protest. Despite the controversy, the house quickly attracted attention from the architectural community for its bold statement and innovative approach. The residence made use of materials never before used in home design, challenging traditional notions of what a house should look like.
Gehry explained his concept: “I loved the idea of leaving the house intact… I came up with the idea of building the new house around it.” This playful yet profound approach demonstrated Gehry’s ability to transform ordinary structures into extraordinary architectural statements.
Famous Frank Gehry House
Frank Gehry’s residential projects showcase his evolving architectural style across different locations. The Winton Guest House in Minnesota, completed in 1987, represents one of his early explorations into fragmented geometric forms. The structure consists of separate volumes in different shapes, materials, and colors, assembled to create a cohesive yet visually dynamic whole.
The Norton House in Venice Beach, California, embraces Gehry’s California roots with its indoor-outdoor flow and experimental use of materials. Built in the early 1980s, this residence features irregular windows and unexpected spatial arrangements that create surprising views and light effects throughout the day.
The Schnabel House in Brentwood, completed in 1989, represents Gehry’s mature residential style. This compound-like home consists of several distinct volumes housing different functions. Each section boasts unique materials and forms, from copper-clad roofs to lead-coated copper walls.
The Borman House in Malibu showcases Gehry’s ability to respond to coastal settings. Its undulating forms and expansive glass walls frame dramatic ocean views while creating sheltered outdoor spaces protected from coastal winds.
Signature Design Elements
Frank Gehry’s houses feature distinctive design elements that set them apart from conventional architecture. His signature use of unconventional building materials transforms ordinary substances into extraordinary architectural features. Chain-link fencing, corrugated metal, plywood, and industrial glass appear throughout his residential projects.
Curved and undulating forms define Gehry’s spatial approach, rejecting the right angles and straight lines of traditional architecture. These fluid shapes create dynamic interior spaces that flow into one another, challenging occupants’ expectations as they move through the home.
Fragmented and sculptural structures represent another key element in Gehry’s residential designs. His houses often appear as collections of intersecting volumes rather than unified wholes. This deconstructivist approach breaks down conventional notions of what a house should look like.
The deliberate contrast between materials creates visual tension in Gehry’s houses. Rough industrial surfaces might sit alongside polished wood or glass, while exposed structural elements coexist with refined finishing details. This juxtaposition highlights the materiality of the building components while creating rich textural experiences.
Light manipulation techniques represent one of Gehry’s most sophisticated design strategies. Irregular window placements, skylights, and reflective surfaces create constantly changing light conditions throughout the day.
Construction Techniques
Frank Gehry revolutionized residential construction through pioneering digital design tools. In the early 1990s, his firm adapted CATIA software, originally developed for the aerospace industry, to translate his complex designs into buildable structures. This technological innovation allowed Gehry to push architectural boundaries beyond what conventional drafting methods could achieve.
The structural engineering challenges in Gehry’s houses demanded innovative solutions. His curved walls, tilted planes, and asymmetrical roofs required close collaboration with structural engineers to ensure stability while maintaining the design’s artistic integrity. Custom structural systems often needed to be developed for each project.
Material selection in Gehry houses follows both artistic and practical considerations. While his early work employed industrial materials for their raw aesthetic qualities, his later projects incorporated these elements with greater refinement. His own house “stripped down much of the interior and added new exterior framing of wood clad in plywood, glass, corrugated metal, and chain-link fencing.”
Sustainability has become increasingly important in Gehry’s residential designs. His newer Santa Monica home demonstrates “a commitment to sustainable buildings” with a “climate concept designed to operate without traditional air-conditioning, based on wind-driven cross ventilation to ensure low emissions.”
Functionality vs. Art
Living in a Frank Gehry house presents unique challenges as residents adapt to unconventional spaces. The sculptural nature of his designs means that walls rarely meet at right angles, windows appear in unexpected places, and spatial relationships constantly surprise. Every day activities like arranging furniture or hanging artwork require creative solutions when no wall is perfectly straight.
Practical challenges emerge from Gehry’s artistic vision. Storage can be limited as built-in cabinetry must conform to irregular spaces. Climate control becomes more complex in homes with soaring ceilings and unusual volumes. Sound travels differently through these non-traditional spaces, creating acoustic properties that residents must learn to navigate.
Maintenance considerations represent another aspect of owning a Gehry house. The unconventional materials often require specialized care—corrugated metal may need anti-rust treatments, exposed wood requires regular refinishing, and custom window shapes might demand bespoke replacements if damaged. The maintenance costs typically exceed those of conventional luxury homes.
Testimonials from Gehry homeowners reveal a common theme: living in these spaces changes how they perceive architecture. Many describe the constantly shifting light patterns throughout the day as one of the greatest joys of Gehry houses. The homes’ unique qualities make ordinary activities feel extraordinary.
Buying and Investing
Frank Gehry houses command premium prices in the real estate market, reflecting their status as architectural masterpieces. These properties typically sell for significantly more than comparable homes in the same neighborhoods due to their artistic and historical significance. The market value of a Gehry house includes not just the physical structure but the prestige of owning a habitable work of art.
Recent sales of Gehry-designed homes demonstrate their investment potential. When these properties come to market—which happens rarely—they attract international attention from collectors and architecture enthusiasts. While exact figures vary by location and size, Gehry houses often sell for millions above the median price for their areas.
Compared to traditional luxury homes, Gehry houses offer different investment considerations. While conventional high-end properties might emphasize amenities like spa bathrooms or smart home systems, Gehry houses deliver unique spatial experiences and artistic merit. Potential buyers must weigh the prestige against practical considerations like maintenance costs.
From a collector’s perspective, owning a Gehry house represents more than a real estate investment. These homes are considered three-dimensional artworks, comparable to collecting significant paintings or sculptures. Some buyers approach these properties primarily as cultural assets rather than residential spaces.
How to Visit Frank Gehry Houses
While most Frank Gehry houses remain private residences, architecture enthusiasts can still experience these revolutionary designs through various means. The Gehry Residence in Santa Monica stands as his most famous residential work, visible from the street corner of Washington Avenue and 22nd Street. Though privately owned, visitors can view the exterior from public sidewalks.
Virtual tour options provide more comprehensive access to Gehry’s residential works. Several architecture websites and educational platforms offer digital walkthroughs of his most significant houses, including interior spaces not accessible to the public. These virtual experiences often include expert commentary explaining the design principles.
Photography policies vary when visiting Gehry’s houses. Since these are privately owned homes, respect for residents’ privacy remains paramount. Photographers should remain on public sidewalks and avoid intrusive telephoto lenses. Some Gehry homeowners have complained about tourists lingering too long or being disruptive.
Architectural tourism centered on Gehry’s works has grown significantly as his international reputation has expanded. Several companies offer guided architecture tours in cities like Los Angeles that include drives past his residential projects alongside his more accessible public buildings.
Residential Architecture Today
Frank Gehry fundamentally changed modern home design by challenging conventional notions of what houses could look like. Before his breakthrough Santa Monica residence, residential architecture largely followed predictable forms and materials. Gehry proved that homes could be sculptural, expressive, and even provocative while still meeting the practical needs of daily life.
Many contemporary architects cite Gehry’s residential work as a liberating influence on their designs. Barcelona-based architects Eva Prats and Ricardo Flores revealed they “were seduced by Gehry’s own house in Santa Monica” because it demonstrated how existing structures could be transformed through creative intervention.
Gehry-inspired homes appear worldwide, though few directly mimic his specific style. Instead, contemporary architects often incorporate elements of his approach: unexpected material combinations, spatial fluidity, and the integration of artistic expression into functional spaces. The fragmented forms and complex geometries that once seemed radical have been absorbed into the architectural mainstream.
His legacy in residential architecture extends beyond specific design elements to a broader philosophy about homes as reflections of individual expression. Gehry demonstrated that houses need not conform to neighborhood conventions or historical precedents. This permission to break rules continues to inspire homeowners and architects seeking unique living environments.
