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A controversial new building has been unveiled in Sydney.
I think I like it but haven't seen it with my own eyes yet.
Architect Frank Gehry opens new UTS 'paper bag' building; says design inspired by folds in skin and clothing
By arts reporter Adrian Raschella
Tue 3 Feb 2015
Photo: Frank Gehry's Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS was inspired by renaissance artists and architects. (Supplied: Coptercam)
How do you make a building more human? World renowned architect Frank Gehry thinks he has the answer. Seeing for the first time his latest creation, the new University of Technology Sydney (UTS) business school, Mr Gehry said his design philosophy was inspired by renaissance artists and architects. He said they were always fascinated with folds in the skin and folds in clothing.
"The fold is primitive, you're in your mother's arms when you're a child, and so we tried to do that with brick," Mr Gehry said as he explained his approach to curves and folds in the design of his new building. Many have said the creation looks like a squashed brown paper bag. He seemed to be warming to the description.
Photo: Architect Frank Gehry says he is proud of his new building, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS in Sydney. (Supplied: Andrew Worssam)
"Maybe it's a brown paper bag, but it's flexible on the inside, there's a lot of room for changes or movement," he said. Mr Gehry said many of the learning spaces at the UTS building could evolve over time.
Some of the main classrooms are oval shaped, where all the students face each other. There are breakout spaces with lounges, where students can hang out and discuss ideas, while the main internal architectural feature is a crumpled mirrored staircase.
So is the man who has designed some of the world's most spectacular buildings happy with his latest endeavour? "Oh boy. I'm Jewish and I feel guilty about everything," he chuckled.
Photo: Frank Gehry hopes Sydneysiders will warm to the new UTS building school, officially opened in Sydney. (Supplied: Andrew Worssam)
"It'll take me two years to come around, I see all the things I would change and want to change, and [all the things] actually I wouldn't change."
After spending some time touring the $180 million building, Mr Gehry looked relieved and said he felt proud because the students seemed to like it. As for the rest of Sydney's architecture, he believes the 19th century buildings are still the city's best.
Mr Gehry designed some of the world's most extraordinary buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He said he was not a fan of modern glass boxes which were now the norm in modern city architecture.
"They're faceless, not friendly, and cold," he said.
Mr Gehry hopes Sydneysiders will warm to his bold addition to the city's skyline.
The UTS business school is named after Chinese businessman Dr Chau Chak Wing, after his $20 million donation to the project.
I think I like it but haven't seen it with my own eyes yet.
Architect Frank Gehry opens new UTS 'paper bag' building; says design inspired by folds in skin and clothing
By arts reporter Adrian Raschella
Tue 3 Feb 2015
Photo: Frank Gehry's Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS was inspired by renaissance artists and architects. (Supplied: Coptercam) How do you make a building more human? World renowned architect Frank Gehry thinks he has the answer. Seeing for the first time his latest creation, the new University of Technology Sydney (UTS) business school, Mr Gehry said his design philosophy was inspired by renaissance artists and architects. He said they were always fascinated with folds in the skin and folds in clothing.
"The fold is primitive, you're in your mother's arms when you're a child, and so we tried to do that with brick," Mr Gehry said as he explained his approach to curves and folds in the design of his new building. Many have said the creation looks like a squashed brown paper bag. He seemed to be warming to the description.
Photo: Architect Frank Gehry says he is proud of his new building, the Dr Chau Chak Wing Building at UTS in Sydney. (Supplied: Andrew Worssam) "Maybe it's a brown paper bag, but it's flexible on the inside, there's a lot of room for changes or movement," he said. Mr Gehry said many of the learning spaces at the UTS building could evolve over time.
Some of the main classrooms are oval shaped, where all the students face each other. There are breakout spaces with lounges, where students can hang out and discuss ideas, while the main internal architectural feature is a crumpled mirrored staircase.
So is the man who has designed some of the world's most spectacular buildings happy with his latest endeavour? "Oh boy. I'm Jewish and I feel guilty about everything," he chuckled.
Photo: Frank Gehry hopes Sydneysiders will warm to the new UTS building school, officially opened in Sydney. (Supplied: Andrew Worssam) "It'll take me two years to come around, I see all the things I would change and want to change, and [all the things] actually I wouldn't change."
After spending some time touring the $180 million building, Mr Gehry looked relieved and said he felt proud because the students seemed to like it. As for the rest of Sydney's architecture, he believes the 19th century buildings are still the city's best.
Mr Gehry designed some of the world's most extraordinary buildings, including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. He said he was not a fan of modern glass boxes which were now the norm in modern city architecture.
"They're faceless, not friendly, and cold," he said.
Mr Gehry hopes Sydneysiders will warm to his bold addition to the city's skyline.
The UTS business school is named after Chinese businessman Dr Chau Chak Wing, after his $20 million donation to the project.
