Internationally acclaimed architect, Frank Gehry, now 81, materialized his desire once again to create something artistic and “unique” in his recently unveiled masterpiece, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Absent are the usual 90° angles and shapes seen in most healthcare facilities and in their place is an undulating amalgamation of stainless steel. Although the architecture is decidedly playful, the mission of the Center is dead-on serious.

An international medical research facility, the prestigious scientists are studying neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS. Gehry is known for his other unorthodox and stimulating buildings as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. With the new Center, Gehry realized the importance of  creating a structure for these world-renowned researchers that is “unique, that creates a sense of pride, that works, that keeps out the rain, is uplifting and makes you HAPPY to go to work and live in.” He also wanted the building to stand out from what he called “the cacophony” of the Vegas high rises.

“I wasn’t trying to compete with the chaos around it,” said the very satisfied architect.

Hats off to Frank Gehry for bringing fun and whimsy and art to help those who combat the chaos and upset that catastrophic illnesses bestow upon families and workplaces. A MASTERPIECE setting for the healthcare Masters to do their most excellent work. Bravo, Mr. Gehry!

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