'Pure s***': U.S. architect Gehry shares his thoughts on the world's buildings

Architect Frank Gehry, known for some of the most unique structures, flipped off a reporter when asked how he responds to people who say his work is “architecture for show.” The 85-year-old creator of the Guggenheim museum in Bilbao was in Oviedo, Spain, a day before he was to be handed the Prince of Asturias prize by King Felipe VI. Gehry’s latest spectacular building, the Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris, has just opened to rave reviews. During the same press conference, Gehry also was asked for his views on the social functions of architecture—and he obliged.

In the world we live in, 98 percent of the buildings built are pure s***. There is no sense of design, nor respect for humanity, for judgement, for anything. They’re just dumb buildings.

Frank Gehry, architect

The Prince of Asturias Foundation hands its arts prize each year for “a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of mankind”, along with awards in seven other categories. Among this year’s other winners are the Irish novelist John Banville for literature, the New York City Marathon for sports and the U.S. government’s Fulbright scholarship program in the international development category.

Arts