The global architecture community mourns the passing of Frank Gehry, the Canadian-American architect renowned for redefining modern urban design. Gehry passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 96. Among his most celebrated works, Prague’s Dancing House remains a lasting symbol of bold creativity and cultural transformation.

The Birth of an Icon
Located on Rašínovo nábřeží along the Vltava River, the Dancing House was constructed between 1992 and 1996 on a site destroyed during the 1945 U.S. bombing of Prague. Gehry collaborated with Czech-Croatian architect Vlado Milunić to design a building that would represent Prague’s transition from communism to democracy.

Design Concept: Ginger and Fred
The structure features two distinct towers nicknamed Ginger and Fred, inspired by legendary dancers Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire.
• The glass tower (Ginger) twists upward in a dynamic silhouette
• The stone-like tower (Fred) anchors the composition
Together, they form a dramatic, embracing motion — giving the building its iconic “dancing” appearance.

Blending Global Vision with Czech Identity
While Gehry is internationally known for masterpieces like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Dancing House stands out for integrating avant-garde design into Prague’s historic cityscape. Its deconstructivist style, marked by irregular shapes and fluid facades, both contrasts with and complements Prague’s Baroque, Gothic, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Czech-British architect Eva Jiřičná contributed significantly to the interior design, emphasizing asymmetry and spatial creativity that mirrors the building’s exterior movement.

Cultural and Political Significance
The project’s site held symbolic meaning, located near the residence of Václav Havel, poet and future Czech president. After the fall of communism, Havel supported revitalizing the neglected area, leading to the creation of a landmark that came to represent openness, democracy, and artistic freedom.

Public Reception and Global Recognition
Since opening in 1996, the Dancing House has become one of Prague’s most photographed landmarks. In 1997, Time magazine listed it among the most important buildings of the decade. Today, it houses a boutique hotel and the Ginger & Fred restaurant, preserving its architectural character while adapting to modern use.

A Philosophy of Architecture
Gehry believed architecture should create experience, not just function. His designs balance movement and stability, chaos and harmony, history and innovation. This philosophy is vividly embodied in the Dancing House — a structure that symbolizes Prague’s willingness to embrace creative risk.

Legacy
Frank Gehry’s passing marks the end of an era in modern architecture, but his influence endures. In a city famed for historic beauty, the Dancing House remains a powerful testament to imagination, collaboration, and cultural evolution.

Quote by Frank Gehry
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness."