Free Paper Sample: Impact of the Bilbao Effect

Introduction

Frank Gehry’s building at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao opened 20 years ago and has become the most influential buildings in modern times (Guggenheim Bilbao, 2020). It provides a fusion of complex and swirling forms whose fascinating materiality aligns with the industrial urban context.

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Meaning

The Bilbao effect brought by the structure is evident from is the phenomenon as a cultural investment and the showy architecture that equals the economic uplift for the cities. The project has accomplished its original intentions with utmost precision (Pagnotta, 2013). The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao not only changed the way people and architects perceive museums but also boosted the economy of Bilbao with its outstanding success.

The Outer and Inner Structure

Outside the structure are a northern riverside side on the northern edge of the city center, a railway line and a road to the south, a river to the north, and the east is a concrete structure of the Salve bridge. This scenery provides a tangible and physical connection with the city. The circulation and extrusion of the building around the Salve Bridge establishes a curved promenade at the riverside and forms a generous new public plaza on the southern side of the site (Pagnotta, 2013). The building represents landscapes as shown by the narrow passageway that enters the hall representing a gorge, the curved walkway, and water features that align with the Nervion River.

Looking from above, the metallic exterior looks floral while a closer look at the building from the ground resembles a boat. This evokes the past industrial life of the port of Bilbao. The exterior, made of limestone, titanium, and glass also shows seemingly random curves that are designed to not only catch the light but react accordingly to the weather and the sun (Guggenheim Bilbao, 2020). The fixing clips provide a shallow central dent in the titanium tiles, causing a rippling effect on the surface towards the changing light. These result in an extraordinary iridescence to the structure’s overall composition.

The walls and ceilings of the building are load-bearing with the internal structure forming grids with triangles made of metal rods. The rods and ceilings are made of various insulating layers with an outer titanium coating. Each piece is exclusive to its location as estimated by the CATIA software (Pagnotta, 2013).

Architecture

The twisted curves of the building, which are mathematically intricate, were designed using the CATIA 3-D design software (Pagnotta, 2013). This allows for complex calculations and designs that would not have been achieved initially. A large, light-filled atrium provides an organizing center of the museum and distributes 11,000 square meters of exhibition space in over nineteen galleries ten of which align with the classic orthogonal plan that is evident from their exterior limestone finish. The other nine galleries are made of titanium-swirling organic forms.

Impact

The museum has brought about an astounding socio-economic impact on the region. Over the first three operational years, the museum has attracted approximately 4 million tourists, generating about 500 million in profit to Bilbao (Pagnotta, 2013). The visitors also spend on restaurants, hotels, transport, and shops resulting in a collection of over 100 million in taxes, which is more than the cost of offsetting the building. The promise of the “Bilbao Effect” sparked an architectural building boom globally which was a perception that proved imprudent in the recent economic crises. The museum remains a renowned and iconic structure based on its form and complexity.

References

Guggenheim Bilbao (2020). A structure of titanium, glass and limestone. Guggenheim-bilbao.eus. https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/the-building/the-construction

Pagnotta, B. (2013, September 01). AD Classics: The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao/Gehry Partners. Archdaily.com. https://www.archdaily.com/422470/ad-classics-the-guggenheim-museum-bilbao-frank-gehry