WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

Los Angeles, CA

It is easy to recognize this work as from the hand of Los Angeles architect Frank Gehry, given the sculptural, bold-formed elements enclosing the music venue, which is regarded as one of the most sophisticated halls in the world. Gehry was probably the most unlikely architect to be chosen from among 85 considered for this assignment. He presented a concept that looked like a cluster of flowers shooting out of the ground. Originally, Gehry had designed the Hall with a facade of stone, because "at night stone would glow. It would have been great. It would have been friendly. I begged them.” But after the client saw Gehry’s Bilbao Hall in Spain, they insisted on a metal skin. Interestingly, Gehry’s design is not unlike the Wotruba Church.

I lucked out finding this sunrise view, as sketched from the 10th floor dining terrace of the Conrad hotel across Grand Avenue. It was the only window of time I had during this short trip to LA. There may not be a better view-point than what I had.