G U G G E N H E I M
M U S E U M
B I L B A O
The emblem The City Planning Regulations drawn up by Bilbao in 1989 foresaw the suitability of building a museum in the Abandoibarra area with the aim of it being a cultural emblem for the city. In 1991 preparations began leading to the Basque authorities contacting the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation to propose that they participate in the revitalisation of the city. The non-profit artistic foundation agreed to the suggestion as it was their intention to establish
a global network of museums. Bilbao would be one of the designated locations. The architect was to be internationally renowned: Frank O. GEHRY, who with a bird's eye view, from the top of Mt. Artxanda, pointed to the future the site of the art museum: Abandoibarra, embracing La Salve bridge. Mr GEHRY did not only create a museum, he brought to Bilbao the embryo of architectural revolution as a shining example around the world.
In February 1993, Mr GEHRY's presented his schematic design for the museum and the foundation stone ceremony was held. In October 1994 building work began and, finally, on 19th October 1997 the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao opened its doors.
David Herranz
Although its importance transcends purely architectural value, it must be said that the building is of an exquisite and innovative construction. Occupying 32,500 m2 of land, the building is on par with the Ibaizabal-Nervion River, or rather, 16 m. below sea level and the sea level of the City, with the colosal La Salve bridge crossing over one end of the building.
The building is composed of a number of interconnected masses, some orthagonal and covered with limestone, while others are curved, twisted and covered with a metallic skin of titanium. These masses then combine with the glass walls contributing the building's transparency, which all so unmistakably identifies the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. An interesting side note is that owing to their mathematical complexity, the twisting curvatures of the stone, glass and titanium were designed with the assistance of a computer programme called Catia, which is also used in jet plane design. Today, Bilbao is no longer home to the Guggenheim, but rather the Guggenheim is at home in Bilbao. The city has got over the fame of the Museum by now and has appropriated all that added value: Bilbao has come of age.