The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain was designed by American architect Frank Gehry. Known for his deconstructivist style, Gehry designed the museum with unusual twisted and curving forms clad in titanium and stone. The three gallery floors surround a large central atrium connected by glass walkways. Though asymmetrical on the outside with irregular titanium walls, inside provides visitors with interconnecting exhibition spaces flooded with light from the atrium. The unconventional design has become an iconic landmark and major tourist destination, transforming Bilbao into an international cultural center.
2. DECONSTRUCTIVISM -
¤ Deconstructivism comes from the idea of DE – CONSTRUCTION a form of semiotic analysis .
¤ Deconstructivism is a movement of postmodern architecture which appeared in the 1980’s ,
which gives the impression of the fragmentation of the constructed building .
¤ It is characterized by the absence of harmony , continuity , or symmetry .
¤ Besides fragmentation , deconstructivism often manipulates the structure’s surface skin and
creates by non – rectilinear shapes which appear to distort and dislocate elements of
architecture .
¤ The finished visual appearance is characterized by unpredictability and controlled chaos .
3. ABOUT THE ARCHITECT -
¤ Frank Owen Gehry was born in the year 1929 of
February 28.
¤ He is a Canadian – born American architect ,
residing in Los Angeles .
¤ His works are cited as being among the most
important works of contemporary architecture .
¤ He is labelled as “ THE MOST IMPORTANT
ARCHITECT OF OUR AGE ’’ .
¤ Gehry is often referred to as a STARCHITECT .
¤ He is awarded with PITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE ,
And also many awards and also honorary
doctorates .
4. WORKS OF FRANK GEHRY-
MUSEUM OF POP CULTURE IN
SEATTLE
WALL DISNEY CONCERT HALL IN
LOS ANGELES
5. WORKS OF FRANK GEHRY -
BP PEDESTRAIN BRIDGE
CHICAGO
DANCING HOUSE IN PRAGUE
6. THE MUSEUM -
¤ Guggenheim museum is located in Abando ,
Bilbao , Spain .
¤ The building is a art museum .
¤ Juan Ignacio Vidarte Is the director of the
museum .
¤ It is a museum of modern and contemporary art
designed by Canadian – American architect
FRANK GEHRY .
¤ The museum was inaugurated on 18th October
1997 .
11. PLANNING -
¤ The plan is comprised of mostly curved
surfaces .
¤ The total area is 24 , 000 metre square and
of which 11 , 000 metre square is used as
exhibition space .
¤ The three floors of galleries standing
around this central atrium are
interconnected by a system of curved
walkways suspended from the ceiling , glass
, lifts and stairs .
18. THE CONSTRUCTION -
¤ The choice of titanium , and the
creation of a design involving fluid
forms , was made possible by the
state – of – the – art 3D computer
design , Catia .
¤ To develop the museum forms ,
Gehry started with paper and
wooden models in different scales ,
which he gradually adapted and
refined .
19. MATERIALS -
¤ The building is clearly recognisable for
its twisted , curving lines , some of
which are LIMESTONE – coated
orthogonal shapes while others of an
more organic volumetry are clad in a
METALLIC TITANIUM skin .
¤ The huge volumes are linked by GLASS
CURTAIN WALL for remarkable
transparency throughout .
¤ The building / museum was built of
advanced STEEL STRUCTURE .
20. THE ATRIUM -
¤ The true heart of the museum is the
atrium , measuring over 50m in height ,
flooded with light thanks to its
enormous windows , and serving as a
place of arrival , orientation and
relaxation for the visitor .
¤ The museum ‘ s exhibition space is
distributed over three levels , with a
total of 20 galleries , some of classic
proportions , others of an unusual
irregularity , and yet another designed
for the exhibition of large - sized
artworks .
21. INTERIOR -
¤ Once through the foyer and inside the
exhibition space itself , visitors find
themselves in the atrium , with its enormous
glass walls .
¤ The three floors of galleries standing around
this central atrium are interconnected by a
system of curved walkways suspended from
the ceiling , glass , lifts and stairs .
¤ There is a close harmony between the
architectural shapes and the content of each
gallery .
22. SURROUNDINGS -
¤ The building is surrounded by a
series of attractive walkways .
¤ The museum can be approached
from different directions by visitors
on foot .
¤ The entrance located on the rear of
the building , on the eastern side ,
more suited for use by groups or
schoolchildren , also leads to the
foyer .
23. UPPER FLOOR GALLERIES ARE LINKED
WITH PASSAGE - WAYS
¤ The appearance is asymmetrical at exterior .
¤ There are irregular masses of titanium walls .
¤ The building has sweeping curved lines
¤ It seeks to create a seemingly unstable
environment with unusual spiral
arrangements .
¤ It has interconnecting volumes .
