The architecture world was hit by an earthquake with the loss of one of the most impactful architects in history: Frank Gehry.

After lunch I came back to the office, and my colleague turned to me and shared the news. I don’t even remember how I reacted. I went completely speechless… out of words. A few minutes later I was sobbing in the foyer.

Most architecture work is worthless. We do too much for money. Every building I pass by, every firm I’ve joined, I keep finding trash architecture. We wake up in the morning to draw the same stupid wall and then write a whole book about it. Our buildings get screwed up by our practice. Losing Frank Gehry shook me, it put me in this mix of sadness and anger about how hard life is, and how much harder it is to lose a legend. But somehow he should make us stronger, make us breathe, push us to do what most architects cannot do.

Frank Gehry lifted me up when I was heading down. But he wasn’t the only one, there are very, very few architects I’ve met who still inspire me. Many will get jealous, many will envy, many will try to block your path to success but they forget they’re only doing it to themselves.

I probably shouldn’t have posted my emotions, but today I couldn’t touch my work for a bit. I just needed a moment to think of him. That’s all.

Probably he’s on a better construction site now, designing a paradise for all of us. Being an architect is the most glorious form of art, and something we should all be proud of — thank you.

- Marc Northstar

PS: Biked 56.4 mi, 3,469 ft gain elevation in honor of Frank Gehry, click here to see it on Strava.