Overview
- He died on December 5 at his Santa Monica home at age 96, reportedly after complications from a brief respiratory illness, according to his staff as cited in coverage.
- The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao became his defining work and a case study for the so‑called “Bilbao effect,” in which a landmark can catalyze urban revival.
- Other notable projects include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, and Prague’s Dancing House.
- He received top honors including the Pritzker Prize and the Praemium Imperiale during a career that moved from experimental houses to major cultural commissions.
- His death leaves ongoing plans unresolved, including the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which reports had slated for a 2026 opening.