University To Demolish Frank Gehry Building

University of California, Irvine administrators cite structural deterioration in their decision to demolish a building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry.

1 minute read

September 28, 2005, 12:00 PM PDT

By C. Scott Smith


"This decision has troubled some fans of Gehry, who is best known for designing the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum in Spain. They say that since Gehry is such a notable architect, to destroy an early example of his work will hurt UCI’s reputation as an academic institution.

However, Richard Demerjian, UCI director of campus planning, said that the Gehry building is no longer suitable for use.

'The buildings were constructed of wood frame and stucco that are not considered a permanent building type in an institutional setting such as the UCI Academic Core,' Demerjian said.

The Gehry building suffers from problems including leaking roofs, failing ventilation and dry rot, according to Demerjian.

The buildings, constructed in 1986, were relatively inexpensive at just under $2 million. The cheapness of their construction is one of the factors that has led to the deterioration of the buildings."

Wednesday, September 28, 2005 in New University Paper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight