The Bilbao Effect

“The Bilbao Effect - the idea that one building can transform the fortunes of an entire region - was today described as “bullshit” by the architect who pioneered it. Frank Gehry built the spectacular fish-scaled Guggenheim museum in Bilbao for less than $100 million 11 years ago.”

When I say that I am going to Bilbao, I am going to see Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Museum. It is a huge issue of architectural debate and whether or not it is good or bad.

This is easily the most contemporary, iconic piece of architecture in the world. Since I have been in Italy I have been skimming through ‘Architecture and the Aftermath’ by Terry Smith. In this book he explains the effect and symbolism of iconic architecture and its cultural effect.

The Simpson’s had an episode where Marge convinced Springfield to build a new concert hall. Marge wrote Gehry a letter and he crumpled it and threw it on the ground. Gehry looked at the crumpled up paper and it was the new design for Springfield’s concert hall. This episode is based on what has happened in Bilbao.

The reason Bilbao commissioned this is simply to bring tourists to the northern region of Spain. It worked, I am going. They bought a Frank Gehry symbol to improve the economic stability of the poor area. The Bilbao Museum completely rejects and does not work with the site. It is forced into the site. Neighboring buildings are being overheated because the reflectivity of the tin. They are complaining of glare. A lot of problems.

So why am I going to see this building? I am going because it has become the icon of ‘starchitecture.’ ‘Starchitects’ are being hired because local governments think that it will be helpful to the economy. The Bilbao Museum is massive. If Gehry wasn’t commissioned to build this project I think architecture would lose a sense of what it is. It is meant to test ideas and create a more interesting living environment. As bad as it is for the site, it does push some limits in materiality of a building and what a computer can do for architecture. It is advancing digital of architecture. Also, it gets people interested in architecture, whether or not it’s good or bad. A government commissioned Gehry to build this giant, alienated, overheating piece of architecture?

I'll never be in Spain again, so I figure while I am there I have to see this. I am excited to see it and how the surrounding environment has reacted to this architectural interloper in their town.