SFN Special Lecture: Architect Frank Gehry and Neuro-Architecture

Perhaps the only person more confused by the SFN keynote lecture than I was, by renowned architech Frank Gehry, was Frank Gehry himself. Following in the footstep of the Dalai Lama (last years' speaker in this series), Gehry was this year's speaker in the "Neuroscience and Society" addresses; specifically, his talk was to explore how architecture and neuroscience mesh and reflect each other.

From the program:

Gehry will discuss the ideas and assumptions about how people perceive and interact with architectural spaces that inform his work....he will also discuss architectural elements such as shapes, colors, and textures as examples of areas where a better scientific understanding of how and why the human brain reacts positively or negatively could help architects to design better buildings and spaces.

However, Gehry didn't talk about these things at all. (More under the fold.....)

In fact, all he did present were sketches and pictures of his buildings in various states of construction, as well as a little bit about how his designs go from scribbles to models to buildings. Now, that said, his work is amazing. I throuroughly enjoyed seeing the pictures of his work around the globe, as well as some of the raw sketches and 50+ scale models which represented the stages of the creative process. But it was a bit like someone showing you a recipe, and the finished cake, and not telling you why they chose the ingredients they did and why those choices mattered at all.

One aspect that did strike me was how very different his sketches were from the finished product. For example:

and

A few memorable quotes from the talk:

"Buildings should be good neighbors"....in reference to the need for new works of architecture to blend into and "fit" with the pre-existing landscape, but should stand out enough not to "trivialize the building."

"A lightbulb goes on in my head, and energizes my hand to begin to sketch out some scribbles".....in reference to how he creates a plan after meeting with the client and visiting the building site.

"I don't remember this building at all"......in reference to an Alzheimer's Clinic he designed.

"Religious people rely on their creativity from 'up there,' but as I am not one of those, I just wait for that magic moment to know I am done."

"Most buildings are inhuman, dumb boxes. Very little of what people live and work in would qualify as architecture."

"Trust your intuition. Your intuitive implulses are well informed. "

I felt a little sorry for the guy, who was obviously brilliant and meant well. Although he was not ushered into or through his lecture with much guidance, or much attempt to draw his narrative into the realm of neuroscience. Too bad for that, really.