Frank Gehry
On Ethics, Architecture and Much More
Watch the Full InterviewThe world renowned Architect Frank Gehry has been called “the greatest architect we have today” by the acclaimed architect Philip Johnson. His career has spanned more than five decades designing architectural masterpieces in over six countries on three continents. Mr. Gehry’s work includes the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California, and the Louis Vuitton Foundation’s new center in the Bois de Boulogne outside of Paris, France.
Mr. Gehry founded his architecture firm in 1962. More recently, he established Gehry Partners, LLP in 2001. He personally designs every project at the firm. He has won numerous international awards, including the coveted Pritzker Prize in 1989, the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award in 2000, and the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service in 2004. He was the first architect ever to receive the Harvard Arts Medal in 2016. In 2016, President Barack Obama honored Frank Gehry with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his career achievements. Mr. Gehry has also taught at Yale University.
Mr. Gehry explores the role of the architect in creating aesthetic, functional and socially present designs that respect their context, remain artistically and societally important over time, and inspire the highest ethical standards. Mr. Gehry shares his experiences in navigating some of today’s most challenging cultural, political, and social environments. He offers perspective on his own guiding moral principles and running an ethical business—and what really matters in life. He invites us to understand how his designs remain at the cutting edge of creativity, technology, and intellectual rigor.
Welcome to my conversation with Mr. Frank Gehry.
Our gratitude to the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC) for granting permission to use their images in this interview.