Pardon our French, but ‘pure shit’ are the two words acclaimed architect Frank Gehry has chosen to describe the state of architecture in our world today.

A report originally published by El Mundo and then translated by Gizmodo says Gehry flipped the finger (you know which one) when a reporter asked him to respond to those who accuse him “of practicing showy architecture”.

According to Gizmodo, raising the digit was not an adequate enough response for Gehry, who went on to say:

“Let me tell you one thing. In this world we are living in, 98 per cent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit. There’s no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. They are damn buildings and that’s it.

Once in a while, however, there’s a small group of people who does something special. Very few. But good god, leave us alone! We are dedicated to our work. I don’t ask for work. I don’t have a publicist. I’m not waiting for anyone to call me. I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. Therefore, please don’t ask questions as stupid as that one.”

This was reportedly followed by an awkward silence, before the Pritzker Prize-winning architect apologised, saying he was tired from his trip.

The incident took place at a press conference in Oviedo Spain, which Gehry was attending to receive an award.

Gehry is perhaps most renowned for designing the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and was labelled by Vanity Fair in 2010 as “the most important architect of our age”. At 85, he shows no signs of slowing down and recently completed his first Australian building in Sydney, the UTS Dr Chau Chak Wing Business School.

Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Image: The Telegraph

Geraldine Chua

Frank-Gehry-says-today-s-architecture-is-pure-shit-1732031315.png

Let’s connect!