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Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum

Frank O. Gehry, architect Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum 1993 University of Minnesota drawing, west side of building, 1992

Frank O. Gehry, architect Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum 1993 University of Minnesota drawing, bird's eye view of building, 1992

How long did it take to plan and build this museum?

Once Frank Gehry was selected to be the architect, it took four years until the building was finished. Frank Gehry and his assistants did many drawings and models for this museum, which helped them change and improve their ideas. The earlier models look more like building blocks because Gehry first thought about how big the inside spaces needed to be. Then he gradually added the outside shapes.

Frank O. Gehry, architect Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum 1993 University of Minnesota photograph of building model, 1992

Frank O. Gehry, architect Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum 1993 University of Minnesota photograph of building model, 1992

Frank O. Gehry, architect Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum 1993 University of Minnesota photograph of building model, 1992

Finally, finished drawings were made that told the builders how to construct the art museum. Construction began, and years later the museum was ready to open.

Click here to compare Gehry's early drawing to the finished building.