I’ll admit that I haven’t always been a fan of Frank Gehry’s architecture. It feels like it is all about show. However, I am still fascinated by it, and really took a liking to the Walt Disney Concert Hall on my quick L.A. layover.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
This innovative structure pushed the bounds of architectural design with its curves and angles. Similar to the more notable, and probably more fully realized version of Gehry’s metallic wavy design in Bilbao, Spain, the Disney Concert hall came first from the architect’s drawing boards.
Even though I took a liking to the building, I was still disappointed in many ways. The exterior is merely a façade. It is striking on the outside, but not all of those sweeping metal waves are reflected in the interior walls. In fact, some sections aren’t even connected to the main structure. Another disappointment came with the flow of the inside. It didn’t seem to have any order or direction. It felt like a jumbled mess of beams, balconies, stairs, and escalators. And, no offense, Mr. Gehry, but that carpet feels like it came from a hotel.
That being said, being up close to those sweeping metal walls gives a giddy feeling. The lines and reflecting light dance in every direction almost as if the music were exploding out of the building. Also, the natural light pouring into the building from many points makes the interior less droll and more alive.
Taking the Tour
The facility is operated by the Los Angeles Music Center, which allows visitors to tour the property for free. This is unique for a large, metropolitan concert venue, but the main floor lobby is open to the public with restaurants and shops every day. Visitors can find a small desk in the lobby to check out headsets for an audio tour conducted by John Lithgow. It is an informative tour on the architecture and design, the project of building the concert hall, and the ways it is used today.
The tour takes guests through the lobbies of the building, out into the garden, and up onto some walkways near the top exterior. The gardens are particularly lovely with many flowering plants and shaded walkways. There is also a children’s amphitheater in the garden behind the main building.
Unfortunately, the tour does not allow visitors into the actual concert hall. This is disappointing since the pictures and videos I’ve seen of the hall are beautiful. It may positively change my feelings about the building even more if I experience a performance inside. In addition to the look, the acoustics are said to be wonderful.
If you have time and can get yourself downtown in Los Angeles, this building is worthy of a visit. You can just wander around or get the audio guide, which takes around an hour to complete.
