Bilbao
How could a self-respecting architecture nut visit Spain without visiting Bilbao? Yes, Franky Gehry's Guggenheim building is jaw-droppingly amazing. It's one of those buildings you have to see in the flesh to really make sense of.
While we're talking about the Guggenheim, here's a couple of random facts that the I'm not sure the audioguide mentioned:
- Although it's usually seen as the first building in this style by Gehry, it was actually designed after the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Due to funding and other delays the Guggenheim was actually constructed first.
- Unusually for a building of its scale and style, it was completed on time and on budget. Gehry puts this down to: the architect retaining control throughout the project, avoiding political/business interference; accurate budgeting; and using advanced computer modeling and close contact with trades to ensure everything was finished correctly the first time.
It's well worth a day-trip to check out if you're ever in the neighbourhood. I lost at least six hours wandering around inside, and could've lost another six leafing through their well-stocked bookshop.
And I spent countless hours just looking at the building's shimmering skin from every angle.
Posted on Sunday, January 7, 2007 and filed under Europe 2006-2007.
