HOWARD COUNTY HISTORY

Frank Owen Gehry, Extraordinary Architect: His Connection with Columbia, Maryland

Recognized as one of the finest and most artfully influenced American architects of our time. Frank Owen Gehry is internationally acclaimed for his eccentric, sculptural forms. Gehry is the recipient of many awards and honors including the 1989 Pritzker Architectural Prize for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, which is considered his most important work. Despite unconventional appearances, his designs are practical and ascetically pleasing. Among many of Gehry’s important works: The Walt Disney Concert Hall, (L.A. 2001), the Guggenheim Museum (Spain 1997), Loyola Law School (L.A.1984), and the Gehry Residence in Santa Monica, (CA 1979).

Gehry’s first sizable commissions were built in Columbia, Maryland in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Gehry was part of the Baltimore based firm, Gehry, Walsh, and O’Malley. The firm was chosen by Columbia Maryland’s founding father, famous developer James Rouse, to produce four buildings in the planned city of Columbia: The Former Columbia Exhibit Center (1967), 10215 Wincopin Circle, The Public Safety Building (1967), 5815 Baneker Road, Merriweather Post Pavilion (1966-67), 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway, and The Rouse Company Headquarters (1974), 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway. The buildings are architecturally significant and they were quite innovative for the time and continue to hold sentimental and practical places in the thriving community of Columbia.

More information about Gehry and his Columbia connection can be found in “Frank Owen Gehry Extraordinary Architect” informational brochure available at The Howard County Visitor Information Center (800-288-8747). Additional information may also be obtained from the Columbia Archives (410-715-3103).

Photo Provided By Columbia Archives

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