Research

FRANK GEHRY’S GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM IN BILBAO

How did Frank Gehry implement technology and digital media in this building?

Frank Gehry

The usage of digital technology in the:

CONCEPTUALIZATION STAGE

Gehry’s design first began as a series of freehand sketches that he made by standing on the riverbanks overlooking the site.

Sketches made by Gehry

 Back in his studio, he transformed the energetic lines into countless number of models, created by folding, twisting, and crumpling paper and card to create the apparently random forms that crystallized to become a building.

LOL

 However, the design was only made possible by the extensive use of CATIA, a French computer program borrowed from the aviation industry that had previously been used to design the Mirage jet fighter and Boeing 777. 

DESIGN PROCESS

Gehry’s physical models were translated into the virtual world by means of laser that scanned and digitized their curves, turning them into three dimensional computer models that would be scaled up to full size. From this data, the engineers and contractors could generate plans and sections easily, the automatic plotting of the inter-related components allowing the designer to quickly alter one element while the computer adjusted all of the others in turn.

CONSTRUCTION STAGE AND CALCULATIONS

The basic structure is formed from steel I-section beams that are used to construct a grid of sections approximately 3meter square. Each of the components was cut by computer-controlled numeric cutters (CNC), using the data straight from the architect’s model. The sections were bolted, rather than welded together, as the holes could be pre-drilled to an unparalleled degree of accuracy. The building was divided into contoured layers and the numbered sections brought to the site for assembly, like a gigantic Meccano set. A projecting layer of curved steel tubes attached to the I-beam skeleton smoothed it faceted edges into graceful forms. To these contours were fixed vertical bars and over the bars, the final layer of overlapping titanium sheets, held by stainless-steel screws, created the building’s shimmering skin. The high level of co-operation between architect, engineer and contractor, simultaneously sharing the data, resulted in a finished building that was delivered on time and on budget [44 million pounds] without losing any of its sculptural panache long the way.

Reference:

'Buildings for Tomorrow'- Architecture that Changed Our World' by Paul Cattermole