charles gwathmey 1938 - 2009

the guggenheim museum, new york
image tony cenicola /nyt

architect charles gwathmey known for his modernist homes and public buildings
died on monday in manhattan, aged 71.

having received his master’s degree in architecture from yale in 1962, gwathmey was
hired by his parents to build a house for them. this design catapulted him to success at
the age of 27. he founded the firm of gwathmey siegel & associates with robert siegel in 1968
and is perhaps best known for the 1992 renovation and expanison of
frank llyod wright's guggenheim museum in new york.

he was part of a generation of architects who put their own aesthetic stamp on the
'high modernist' style developed in the early 20th  century by le corbusier and others.
many of mr gwathmey's houses were designed for a series of wealthy clients including
steven spielberg, jerry seinfeld and david geffen, among others. read more


the guggenheim museum, new york
image courtesy gwathmey siegel & associates


the house on long island designed by charles gwathmey for his parents, completed in 1966
photo fred r. conrad/ nyt


jewish children's museum
photo © david sundberg/esto
image courtesy gwathmey siegel & associates


jewish children's museum
photo © david sundberg/esto
image courtesy gwathmey siegel & associates


charles gwathmey in his apartment in manhattan
photo diane bondareff/ nyt