Deconstructing a Masterpiece: A Deep Dive into the Gehry Residence Floor Plan
When aspiring architects and design enthusiasts type the phrase "Gehry Residence floor plan" into a search engine, they aren't looking for square footage or bedroom counts. They are searching for the origin story of Deconstructivism. They are looking for the moment a suburban bungalow in Santa Monica, California, exploded into a global icon.
Completed in 1978, the Gehry Residence (often referred to as the Gehry House) is not just a home; it is a manifesto. To understand the floor plan is to understand how Frank Gehry taught the world to read architecture backward. In this long-form analysis, we will strip back the corrugated metal and chain-link fencing to examine the raw bones of the layout, the circulation secrets, and the spatial philosophy hidden within the Gehry Residence floor plan.
The Context: Why the Floor Plan Matters
Before we put pen to paper, we must understand the constraint. Frank Gehry did not build from scratch. In 1977, he purchased an existing 1920s Dutch Colonial-style house for his family. His neighbors expected a renovation. What they got was a collision.
The original house sat quietly on the corner of 22nd Street and Washington Avenue. Gehry’s challenge was simple yet impossible: How do you double the size of a modest family home without destroying its soul—or going bankrupt?
His solution became the foundation of the Gehry Residence floor plan. He decided to leave the old house intact and wrap a new, chaotic shell around it. Consequently, the floor plan reads as a palimpsest—a set of erasures and overwritings where traditional living spaces coexist with raw, industrial disruptions.
Conclusion: A Plan as Debate
The floor plan of the Gehry Residence rejects the modernist open plan (Mies, Le Corbusier) and the traditional closed plan (Colonial revival). Instead, it proposes a collision plan—where old and new, rough and smooth, private and public meet at unexpected angles. To read this plan is to understand that for Gehry, architecture is not about perfect functionality but about provoking a heightened awareness of space, light, and the act of dwelling itself.
Overview
The Gehry Residence is located in Santa Monica, California, and was designed as a renovation and expansion of a 1922 bungalow. The house serves as both a residence for Gehry and his family, as well as an office for his architectural practice.
Floor Plan
The floor plan of the Gehry Residence is a complex, multi-level layout that reflects Gehry's interest in deconstructivist architecture. The house has a total living area of approximately 2,300 square feet.
- Ground Floor:
- The ground floor features an open-plan living area, including a living room, dining area, and kitchen.
- A staircase leads to the upper levels, and a doorway connects to the outdoors.
- A small office and storage spaces are also located on this level.
- First Floor:
- The first floor contains four bedrooms, including Gehry's studio and a guest room.
- A bathroom and additional storage spaces are also located on this level.
- Second Floor:
- The second floor features a mezzanine-level office and a small library.
- A staircase connects to the roof deck.
Notable Features
Some notable features of the Gehry Residence floor plan include:
- Deconstructivist design: The house features a deliberately disjointed and fragmented design, with irregularly shaped rooms and levels.
- Multi-level layout: The floor plan incorporates multiple levels, with changes in elevation and floor-to-ceiling heights.
- Open spaces: The living areas are characterized by open, flowing spaces that blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Innovative Design Elements
The Gehry Residence incorporates several innovative design elements, including:
- Asymmetrical facades: The exterior facades of the house are asymmetrical and feature a mix of materials, including wood, steel, and glass.
- Steel framing: The house was one of the first residential projects to use steel framing, which allowed for greater flexibility and experimentation with design.
Influence and Legacy
The Gehry Residence has had a significant influence on contemporary architecture, and its innovative design elements have been widely studied and emulated. The house has also been recognized with several awards, including the American Institute of Architects' (AIA) National Honor Award.
Additional Resources
If you'd like to learn more about the Gehry Residence and its floor plan, I recommend checking out the following resources:
- The Getty Research Institute's collection of Frank Gehry's architectural drawings and documents
- The Canadian Centre for Architecture's (CCA) collection of Gehry's architectural works
- Various architectural publications, such as Architectural Record and House & Garden, which have featured the Gehry Residence in their pages.
Would you like to know more about a specific aspect of the Gehry Residence or Frank Gehry's design philosophy?
The floor plan of the Gehry Residence in Santa Monica is not just a layout; it is a "disjunctive disassociation" of space that fundamentally challenges the concept of a "room". By wrapping a new, aggressive shell of industrial materials around a 1920s Dutch Colonial bungalow, Frank Gehry transformed a traditional domestic vessel into a collage of overlapping experiences. The Core and the Shell: Ground Floor
The ground floor plan is defined by the tension between the original interior and the new exterior "skin". Gehry House - Archiweb
The Gehry Residence, located in Santa Monica, California, is a landmark of deconstructivist architecture that Frank Gehry transformed starting in 1978. The floor plan is a fascinating study of how an architect can build a "new" house literally around an existing one, creating a complex dialogue between traditional and avant-garde styles. The Floor Plan Concept: A House Within a House
Rather than demolishing the original 1920s pink Dutch Colonial bungalow, Gehry chose to "wrap" it with a new exterior structure made of industrial materials like corrugated metal, chain-link fencing, and plywood.
Layered Boundaries: The original house remains almost fully intact in the center, acting as a core while the new additions form an outer shell.
The Ground Floor: The additions primarily extended the ground floor, creating new, irregular spaces such as a sun-drenched kitchen and dining area that wrap around the north and west sides.
Blurring Indoor/Outdoor: The use of glass cubes and skylights creates patio-like spaces that make the interior feel like it is part of the exterior landscape.
Material Collage: The floor plan reflects a collage of old and new; for instance, you might see the original shingles of the bungalow from inside the new kitchen. Visualizing the Layout
The drawings below illustrate the first floor and ground floor strategies, highlighting how the original structure (the "bungalow") is nested within the deconstructed shell. Gallery of Gehry Residence / Gehry Partners - 19 Analysis - Xavier Bardina Xavier Bardina Frank Gehry, Santa Monica House - Lower Floor Plan Frank O Gehry: Gehry House, Santa Monica, California, 1979 Gallery of Gehry Residence / Gehry Partners - 19 Gehry House - Data, Photos & Plans - WikiArquitectura Gehry House - Archweb Frank Gehry's Santa Monica House Gehry Residence / Gehry Partners | ArchDaily
Gehry Residence in Santa Monica, California, is a landmark of Deconstructivism
where Frank Gehry transformed a 1920s Dutch Colonial bungalow into a "laboratory" of architectural experimentation. Completed primarily in 1978, the floor plan is defined by the "wrapping"
of the original structure with a new, aggressive envelope of industrial materials like corrugated metal, chain-link fencing, and plywood. Ground Floor Layout The ground floor exemplifies Gehry’s concept of
, where the new additions literally surround and intersect the old house. The Original Core
: The interior of the pink bungalow remains largely intact, though "edited". In some areas, plaster was stripped to reveal the raw redwood framing The New Perimeter : New spaces—the kitchen, dining area, and breakfast area
—were added as a wrap-around extension on the north and west sides. The "Asphalt" Kitchen
: The kitchen was built directly over the existing driveway, famously retaining the original asphalt floor to emphasize the building as an "addition" to the site. Tilted Glass Cubes
: Distinctive skylights and glass structures "poke" through the original exterior, flooding the kitchen and dining areas with light. Upper Floor and Private Spaces
The second level focuses on privacy while maintaining the experimental theme of exposed materials. The First Frank Gehry House in Santa Monica - ArchEyes
Gehry Residence in Santa Monica, California, renovated between 1977 and 1978, is a seminal work of deconstructivist architecture where Frank Gehry wrapped a new, industrial house around an existing 1920s suburban Dutch Colonial bungalow
. The floor plan is a deliberate explosion of traditional spatial layout, designed to keep the original house intact within a raw, fragmented exterior. HIC Arquitectura Key Features of the Gehry Residence Floor Plan House-within-a-House Concept:
The original house remains structurally present, with its exterior walls often visible inside the new envelope. Deconstructed Flow:
Standard room divisions are broken down. The design connects spaces, with the old house acting as a central "room" surrounded by new additions. Raw Materials & Visibility:
The plan highlights the process of construction, with exposed wood framing, plywood walls, chain-link, and corrugated metal. Transition Zones:
The boundary between inside and outside is blurred, featuring patio-like interior spaces, large windows, and unexpected gaps that create a "perpetually under construction" feel. LA Conservancy Floor Layout Analysis Ground Floor:
Features an open-plan kitchen and dining area with asphalt flooring, which connects to the outdoor spaces, creating a dramatic, non-traditional interior landscape. The original "pink" house remains on the ground floor. Upper Floor:
Includes the master bedroom, a second bedroom, and a large attic-like "treehouse" space created by removing ceilings and exposing the wood structure.
The main entrance is designed to be confusing, navigating through both the new industrial envelope and the original residential front door. Design Intent and Impact Deconstructivism:
The project brought worldwide attention to the deconstructivist movement, prioritizing artistic intuition, unresolved accidents, and fragmented forms. Laboratory Concept:
Gehry treated his own home as a "laboratory," using cheap, everyday materials to challenge suburban norms and creating "disturbing" yet satisfying spaces. Industrial Aesthetics:
The "high-tech" materials like corrugated metal and wire-glass cubes—especially the kitchen cube—create a unique play of light, letting in natural light while maintaining privacy. For a visual understanding of the layout, refer to the Gehry Residence Floor Plan via ArchDaily. Gehry House - Data, Photos & Plans - WikiArquitectura
Title: Exploring the Innovative Gehry Residence Floor Plan
Introduction: The Gehry Residence, designed by the renowned Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry, is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Completed in 1984, this iconic house in Santa Monica, California, is a testament to Gehry's experimental and innovative approach to design. In this post, we'll delve into the fascinating floor plan of the Gehry Residence, exploring its unique features and design elements.
The Floor Plan: The Gehry Residence is a 2,200-square-foot, single-story house that appears to be a collection of disparate volumes and shapes. The floor plan is characterized by:
- Non-orthogonal layout: The house has a non-rectilinear footprint, with walls that intersect at unexpected angles, creating a sense of dynamic movement.
- Multi-level spaces: The interior features a series of interconnected spaces with varying ceiling heights, creating a sense of layering and visual interest.
- Curved lines and irregular shapes: Gehry's signature use of curved lines and irregular shapes is evident throughout the floor plan, adding to the sense of fluidity and playfulness.
Key Features:
- Living areas: The open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas are situated at the center of the house, with a dramatic, swooping ceiling that creates a sense of airiness and freedom.
- Private spaces: The bedrooms and bathrooms are tucked away in more subdued, rectangular volumes, providing a sense of contrast to the more dynamic living areas.
- Circulation: A sinuous path connects the various spaces, encouraging exploration and discovery.
Design Philosophy: The Gehry Residence is a manifestation of Frank Gehry's design philosophy, which emphasizes:
- Experimentation and innovation: Gehry's willingness to challenge conventional design norms resulted in a truly unique and groundbreaking house.
- Emphasis on experience: The floor plan is designed to create a sense of journey and exploration, engaging the occupants and visitors on multiple levels.
Conclusion: The Gehry Residence floor plan is a testament to Frank Gehry's innovative and playful approach to design. Its non-orthogonal layout, multi-level spaces, and curved lines have redefined the possibilities of residential architecture. As a work of art, the Gehry Residence continues to inspire architects, designers, and anyone interested in exploring the boundaries of creative expression.
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The 1978 Gehry Residence in Santa Monica is a foundational deconstructivist project featuring a house-within-a-house design, where a new, industrial structure wraps around a 1920s bungalow. The floor plan merges interior and exterior spaces across two levels, utilizing corrugated metal, chain-link fencing, and exposed framing to blur traditional architectural boundaries. Explore the detailed floor plans and architectural analysis at WikiArquitectura. Gehry House - Data, Photos & Plans - WikiArquitectura
The Gehry Residence, designed by Frank Gehry, is a notable example of deconstructivist architecture. Completed in 1989, it serves as the personal residence of Frank Gehry and his wife, Irene. The house is located in Santa Monica, California, and it showcases Gehry's experimental approach to design and architecture.
The Children's Bedrooms
At the east end of the mezzanine, the floor plan opens up into two small bedrooms for the Gehry children. These are relatively conventional square boxes, but they are accessed by a bridge. This means to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, a child must walk across a glass bridge overlooking the living room. Privacy is subverted for spatial drama.
Deconstructing the Gehry Residence: How a Floor Plan Rewrote the Rules of Home Design
When you think of Frank Gehry, you probably imagine the titanium swirls of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao or the dramatic sails of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. But before the global fame, there was a small, pink house in Santa Monica, California—a bold experiment that started with a very unusual floor plan.
The Gehry Residence (1978) isn't just a home; it's a manifesto. It challenged the very definition of what a floor plan should look like.