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.

O autorze

Practice Notes

Napisałem(am) ten przewodnik, by Twoja wizyta w Fondation Louis Vuitton była spokojna, ciekawa i dobrze wyznaczona w czasie — bez utraty tego, co czyni budynek Gehry’ego wyjątkowym.