Gehry Residence Floor Plan //top\\ Page

A key feature of the ground floor is the patio space located between the old house and the new structure. This area, described by Gehry as an "entertainment plaza," serves as an outdoor room that bridges the gap between the two, often used for performances and gatherings.

The use of materials like chain-link fencing, corrugated metal, and exposed studs gives the house a "porosity" that challenges typical residential conventions. 4. Key Elements and Materials in the Plan

Despite the chaotic appearance of the floor plan, the house is highly functional regarding privacy. The exterior is intentionally enigmatic, with the salient angles of the addition making the entrance barely visible from the street. The house is largely surrounded by trees that close the gaps above eye level, providing an unexpected, serene oasis in a dense suburban environment. 5. Legacy of the Floor Plan

Later modifications included softening some of the rawest elements, though the core "fragmented" nature of the plan was maintained, ensuring it remained a landmark of radical residential design. gehry residence floor plan

| Zone | Area (sq ft) | Ceiling Height | Floor Material | |------|--------------|----------------|----------------| | Living/Dining (new) | 650 | 18 ft (max) | Concrete | | Original Bedrooms (2) | 120 each | 8 ft | Wood | | Original Kitchen | 100 | 8 ft | Linoleum | | Gehry Studio | 150 | 9 ft | Plywood | | Entry/Carport transition | 200 | 9 ft | Concrete |

The floor plan also tells the story of the home as an architectural laboratory. Gehry used a very limited budget—just $50,000 at the time—to turn his own dwelling into a creative workshop. The design strategy, as explained by the architect himself, was to discover and reveal new information about the building and its environment with every decision.

Note: The Gehry Residence remains a private home. While public blueprints are available in architectural monographs like "Gehry, Frank: The Complete Works," the house is not open to the public. However, its influence can be seen in every deconstructivist building that followed. A key feature of the ground floor is

: By removing the original ceilings, Gehry transformed the attic into a high-ceilinged, open space he called a "tree house". Material Warmth

Gehry famously placed the kitchen at the heart of the plan. In the late 1970s, kitchens were often relegated to the back of the house. Gehry, acknowledging the kitchen as the social hub of the family, positioned it centrally. The plan shows this space spilling out into the new additions, blurring the line between cooking, dining, and living.

Look closely at the plan. There is a deliberate two-inch gap between the old house and the new sculptural additions. This isn't a mistake; it's a functional skylight. On the plan, this appears as a thin, continuous void that slices through the kitchen and dining areas—bringing sunlight into the core of the old structure. The house is largely surrounded by trees that

Gehry treated his own home as a "laboratory," using cheap, everyday materials to challenge suburban norms and creating "disturbing" yet satisfying spaces. Industrial Aesthetics:

Gehry Residence in Santa Monica, California, renovated between 1977 and 1978, is a seminal work of deconstructivist architecture where Frank Gehry wrapped a new, industrial house around an existing 1920s suburban Dutch Colonial bungalow

The Gehry Residence floor plan remains a powerful example of how residential architecture can challenge the boundaries of conventional design, creating a "shocking" yet deeply thoughtful space for living.

: The kitchen was built directly over the existing driveway, famously retaining the original asphalt floor to emphasize the building as an "addition" to the site. Tilted Glass Cubes

The ground floor is where the tension between the old and new layouts is most palpable. It serves as the primary social and living zone of the house. The New Outer Perimeter (Kitchen and Dining)