240. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Spain. Frank Gehry (architect). 1997 CE. Titanium, glass and limestone.

• Form
  • The building has swirling forms and shapes that contrast with the industrial landscape of Bilbao
  • From the river sie, the building resembles a boat, referencing Bilbao’s past as a shipping and commercial center
  • The curving dorms were designed by a computer software program called Catia
  • Fixing clips make a shallow dent in the titanium surface; it produces an effect of having a shimmering surface that changes according to atmospheric conditions
  • Curvilinear forms evoke the architecture of Borromini and the Italian Baroque in general.
• Function
  • A modern art museum featuring contemporary art in a contemporary architectural setting
  • The work follows the tradition of the Guggenheim museums around the world, many also created by prominent architects in daring designs
• Context
  • Frank Gehry is a Canadian-AMerican architect based in L.A.
  • The revitalization of the port area of Bilbao is called the “Bilbao effect,” a reference to the impact a museum can have on a local economy.