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The Guggenheim Museum


STRAT
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I don't mean to start and argument here, to each his own. But, yes, I have been in his buildings and actually found them particularly well lit (the Vitra Museum and the Vitra Headquarters). The materials I was refering to was #1 the experimentation with simple products, such as 2x4s and chain link fences (Santa Monica Garage and his Santa Monica house) that gradually evolved (as his budgets got bigger) to complex curved stainless, zinc, aluminum, and titanium, and glass. The process of manufacturing complex curved pieces (curves in 2 directions, so the square piece is no longer square) impressive. He had made slumped glass long before E.O. Mosses stuff and pushed mass production of individual steel structural members (almost all of the structural members of Bilbao are unique and prefab with an 80mm allowance - or wait, was the Meier's grid!?).

So regardless of whether you like his forms, he has done more for material experimentation than anyone I can think of. If you can think of someone, let me know, I'd be interested. He certainly has pushed things beyond the likes of Lynn or other currently famous architects that are experimenting with manufacturing techniques and materials.

Again, just my opinion, but I can't think of anyone else that has done anything over such a long career.

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Ah, the 'horse's head'! It looks weird, in my opinion, but I visited a 1/5(I think) scale of it that the had at a Meier museum (of all things!) in BH a few years back. It is pretty interesting as a space, less so as an object. But to continue on with the discussion about materials...the metal used (can't recall what they finally decided as the were testing the strength of different ones under different stresses) is paneling that was stretched in 2 directions, or a 'complex' curve, and it was essential that when stretched, it would still be strong enough. This is where CATIA is so important in his designs, as it can (through some process I have no idea about) can determine the stress/strength stuff. The skylights were also a pretty spectacular structural accomplishment, and I believe it was designed by a sculptural/glass artist, and not his office. Oh, and for those that care and didn't know, the head was a design for a house that never got built, but he clients saw it in this office and said 'we want one just like that!' Viola!

Thanks for the pics, can't wait to see it in person.

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Ah, the 'horse's head'! It looks weird, in my opinion, but I visited a 1/5(I think) scale of it that the had at a Meier museum (of all things!) in BH a few years back. It is pretty interesting as a space, less so as an object. But to continue on with the discussion about materials...the metal used (can't recall what they finally decided as the were testing the strength of different ones under different stresses) is paneling that was stretched in 2 directions, or a 'complex' curve, and it was essential that when stretched, it would still be strong enough. This is where CATIA is so important in his designs, as it can (through some process I have no idea about) can determine the stress/strength stuff. The skylights were also a pretty spectacular structural accomplishment, and I believe it was designed by a sculptural/glass artist, and not his office. Oh, and for those that care and didn't know, the head was a design for a house that never got built, but he clients saw it in this office and said 'we want one just like that!' Viola!

Thanks for the pics, can't wait to see it in person.

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  • 3 months later...
well i'm off to NewYork's Guggenheim museum in exactly a week from now so i'll post up some piccys.
Sorry I will miss you in the NY area! I am off to my home city of San Francisco next week to see family. What are your exact dates?

 

Will you be here on business, or a holiday? Staying in the city? Let me warn you, the Guggenheim is an expensive museum to visit, though there is a free night, I think. Not too long ago they had a Ghery exhibit, which was definately the best of both worlds!

 

Obviously don't miss the Metropolitan Museum, there is a show of Da Vinci drawings that I can't wait to see (better hurry, its a short run), expect crowds for that. Expect to see lots of NY's police force.

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well i'm off to NewYork's Guggenheim museum in exactly a week from now so i'll post up some piccys.
Sorry I will miss you in the NY area! I am off to my home city of San Francisco next week to see family. What are your exact dates?

 

Will you be here on business, or a holiday? Staying in the city? Let me warn you, the Guggenheim is an expensive museum to visit, though there is a free night, I think. Not too long ago they had a Ghery exhibit, which was definately the best of both worlds!

 

Obviously don't miss the Metropolitan Museum, there is a show of Da Vinci drawings that I can't wait to see (better hurry, its a short run), expect crowds for that. Expect to see lots of NY's police force.

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Ernest - me and gf flying over to NewYork next saturday for 3 days or so. so all day sunday, monday, and 1/2 day tuesday. just for pleasure, to look round and see the sights.

 

staying in Melrose hotel on 140 East, 63rd street. if ur around drop me a line :)

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Ernest - me and gf flying over to NewYork next saturday for 3 days or so. so all day sunday, monday, and 1/2 day tuesday. just for pleasure, to look round and see the sights.

 

staying in Melrose hotel on 140 East, 63rd street. if ur around drop me a line :)

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flying over to NewYork next saturday for 3 days or so.
Damn! I leave Saturday morning for a week! Why just a few days? Is the pond-hop that inexpensive--or NY hotels that expensive!

 

Have a great time in NYC, and stay out of the electronics shops! You have been warned! (Exceptions: B&H Photo on 9th Ave at 34th Street and Datavision on 5th Ave. at 39th street-these stores are honest).

 

Another art museum worth a visit would be the Frick Collection, a very fine collection of paintings, especially a number of Vermeers--the father of GI rendering.

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flying over to NewYork next saturday for 3 days or so.
Damn! I leave Saturday morning for a week! Why just a few days? Is the pond-hop that inexpensive--or NY hotels that expensive!

 

Have a great time in NYC, and stay out of the electronics shops! You have been warned! (Exceptions: B&H Photo on 9th Ave at 34th Street and Datavision on 5th Ave. at 39th street-these stores are honest).

 

Another art museum worth a visit would be the Frick Collection, a very fine collection of paintings, especially a number of Vermeers--the father of GI rendering.

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