Material Experiments in Gehry’s Work: From Cardboard to Titanium

A primer on materials in Gehry’s practice—paper, timber, steel, titanium, and light as active matter.

1/3/2026

13 min read

Steel Roof Detail

Overview

From cardboard to titanium—material curiosity drives Gehry’s language and advances architectural technique.

Materials Table

Material	Use	Notes
Paper	Fast models	Gesture + iteration
Timber	Arches	Warmth + span
Steel	Ribs/joints	Precision + strength
Titanium	Skins	Weather + color shifts

Light as Material

Daylight and artificial light animate surfaces.
Color livery programs write temporary architecture.

Craft & Performance

Detailing turns materials into narrative.
Environmental performance guides envelope choice.

Sobre el autor

Practice Notes

Escribí esta guía para que tu visita a la Fondation Louis Vuitton sea tranquila, curiosa y bien cronometrada — sin perder lo que hace especial el edificio de Gehry.