Bernard Arnault Pays Tribute to Frank Gehry Architect Behind LVMH's Fondation Louis Vuitton

Bernard Arnault has paid homage to Frank Gehry, the influential Canadian-born architect who passed away on Friday in Los Angeles. Gehry, widely regarded as one of the most significant figures in contemporary architecture, shared a deep professional and personal relationship with Arnault, culminating in the design of the Fondation Louis Vuitton. This project is frequently cited as the most important work of contemporary architecture ever commissioned by a luxury brand.

Gehry died at the age of 96 following a short respiratory illness, bringing to an end a truly remarkable career spanning decades. His architectural legacy includes highly acclaimed structures such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the titanium-clad Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain, which many consider his greatest masterpiece. He was honored with the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest distinction, recognizing his immense contributions to the field.

In a release, Arnault expressed profound sadness at Gehry’s passing, stating, “I lose a very dear friend and for whom I shall forever retain boundless admiration.” He highlighted the depth of their collaboration, describing it as "one of the longest, most intense, and most ambitious creative partnerships I have ever had the privilege to experience." Arnault praised Gehry as a "genius of lightness, transparency, and grace," emphasizing the architect's unique ability to merge form and function seamlessly.

The Fondation Louis Vuitton, unveiled in October 2014 in the presence of French president François Hollande, stands as a testament to this partnership. The brilliant Deconstructivist building, with a price tag estimated at €800 million, draws inspiration from late 19th-century French architecture, specifically the revolutionary use of glass seen in structures like the Grand Palais. By combining traditional influences with advanced computer technology and 3D design, Gehry crafted a beautiful structure built on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Its unique shape evokes a giant sailboat gathering wind in its sails, perfectly merging with its natural surroundings.

Arnault further noted Gehry's unparalleled gift for manipulating materials, describing how he could "pleat glass like canvas" and make it "dance like a silhouette." Arnault stated that Gehry "will long endure as a living source of inspiration for Louis Vuitton as well as for all the maisons of the LVMH group." Through the Fondation Louis Vuitton, Gehry bestowed upon Paris and France "his greatest masterpiece," an expression of his creative power commensurate with the friendship he held for the city and its culture.

Beyond the foundation, Gehry's partnership with LVMH extended to several store designs and even handbags for Louis Vuitton. At the time of his death, he had two additional buildings in the pipeline for the luxury group: a super-store concept building on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, scheduled to open in two years, and an adjacent structure located next to the Louis Vuitton Foundation.

Arnault concluded his tribute by extending condolences to the architect's family, saying, “My wife, my children, and I express our deepest condolences to his wife, Berta, and to his children.”