Inside the Process: Frank Gehry’s Model Shop

Frank Gehry’s architectural practice is defined by a tactile, physical approach to design. Unlike many modern firms that start in a digital environment, Gehry’s work begins in the "model shop." This hands-on process was the true heart of the Frank Gehry Retrospective at LACMA, which showcased the raw, iterative thinking behind his global icons.  

3D Sketches: The Archive of an Architect

Walking through the gallery, the abundance of models is overwhelming. These aren't just pristine miniatures; they are "3D sketches" made of cardboard, balsa wood, and even crumpled paper. They allow us to see the vast archive of a career built on physical experimentation.

A rare look at the model for Frank Gehry’s Santa Monica Residence. Unlike the industrial "shacks" of his early career, this collaboration with his son, Sam, features a refined palette of mass timber and glass, organized as a cluster of distinct structures nestled into a hillside.


Design for Frank Gehry's New Santa Monica Residence

The Scale of Ambition: Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

Gehry works across vastly different scales, and the exhibit highlights projects that were caught in a state of "yet to be" at the time. One of the most striking examples is the model for the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.


The scale of this model is staggering. Look closely at the tiny scale figures to grasp the true size of the structure. The "cones" featured here are modern interpretations of traditional Middle-Eastern wind towers, designed to provide natural cooling on Saadiyat Island.


Guggenheim Abu Dhabi model

Finding the Form: The Evolution of Disney Hall

Perhaps the most insightful part of the exhibit is seeing how a project evolves from a "schematic" to a finished landmark. It is fascinating to see early-stage models that seem entirely unrelated to the final skyline we know today.



This winning schematic model for the Walt Disney Concert Hall is a prime example. In this early phase, Gehry was exploring a "stony," blocky aesthetic. It took years of physical iteration before the design pivoted to the fluid, stainless steel "sails" that now define the Los Angeles skyline.


2026 Reflection: From Model to Reality

Reading these notes from a decade ago, the "futuristic dreams" of the model shop have finally materialized:

  • Guggenheim Abu Dhabi: As of early 2026, the museum is finally nearing its official opening. Seeing the finished building on the horizon makes the "insane scale" of that 2016 model feel even more prophetic.  

  • The Process: While Gehry’s firm pioneered Digital Project software to make these shapes buildable, the soul of the work remains in the shop, where paper and glue still precede the computer.

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