Just a 10-minute drive north of the Vegas Strip, you'll find a building that starkly contrasts with the rest of Vegas's glitz. Although I didn't step into a single casino during my stay, I made a point to explore most of the unique buildings in the city. Interestingly, Frank Gehry decided to make an architectural statement away from the glitzy entertainment core. The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is a standout creation. While many structures in Vegas are designed to be eye-catching, Gehry's contribution to the city's architectural scene is also uniquely bold, yet distinctly differentiated from the typical Vegas extravagance.
Gehry's reluctance in Las Vegas
Frank Gehry, was initially reluctant to design buildings in Las Vegas, fearing the city would turn his work into another thematic spectacle. However, Larry Ruvo, managed to persuade him to design an Alzheimer’s research center. This facility was to be part of Symphony Park, a new development intended to revitalize downtown Las Vegas, away from the bustling Strip. Gehry agreed to take on the project with the condition that the research would also cover Huntington’s disease, a cause close to his heart.
A remarkable building will draw people in.
When you arrive at the building, you find it isolated, standing alone at the corner of an intersection, surrounded by emptiness. It feels as though it's situated in the middle of nowhere. The main entrance is subtly concealed, encouraging you to circle the entire building. As you do, you can admire the shifting curves and smooth surfaces, which are contrasted by sharp edges.
“For me, architecture was a necessary marketing tool,” Ruvo says.
“We wanted a statement that would show we were serious about curing a disease and would let the doctors know we were not underfunded.”
–Larry Ruvo
Architectural Details and Design Philosophy
At first glance, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health appears to be an amalgamation of disjointed shapes and shimmering metal, a signature style of Frank Gehry. Known for his deconstructivist approach, Gehry must have designed the building to reflect the functions and challenges of the brain health facility it houses. The structure is divided into two primary sections that represent the dual nature of the human brain: the clinical side and the event side, illustrating the balance between functionality and form.
The clinical portion of the building is housed in a more conventional, boxy structure that includes offices, patient rooms, and medical facilities. This design choice reflects the need for a straightforward, efficient layout that facilitates easy navigation and functionality crucial for a medical facility. The materials used are mostly white stucco and glass, creating a clean, serene environment that aids in the healing process.
In stark contrast, the event space, known as the "Life Activity Center," is an explosion of undulating stainless steel, with sheets that shimmer like the facets of a cut gem. This part of the building is intentionally designed to evoke a sense of dynamic movement and fluidity, symbolizing the complexities and ongoing activities of the human brain. The stainless steel skin is not only aesthetically striking but is also meant to reflect the harsh Nevada sun, contributing to energy efficiency within the building.
Purpose-driven design
The purpose of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is to advance research, provide patient care, and facilitate education on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease. Gehry’s design directly supports this mission by creating distinct spaces that cater to both clinical needs and community engagement.
The juxtaposition of the building’s two main components—the rigid, orderly clinical wing and the chaotic, free-form event space—mirrors the cognitive dissonance often experienced by individuals suffering from brain disorders. This physical and symbolic representation helps in raising awareness and empathy, shedding light on the cognitive conflicts faced by patients.
Moreover, the event space not only hosts fundraising events and social gatherings but also serves as a point of interaction for the community with the center. This setup encourages a broader societal involvement in the mission of the center, turning it into a hub for advocacy and education about brain health.
Functional Aspects and Contemporary Use
Today, the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health functions as a pivotal institution in the realm of neurological research and patient care. The spacious, well-lit interiors of the clinical wing promote a comforting atmosphere for patients and their families, which is crucial in treatment and care settings.
The building's layout facilitates an intuitive flow between different departments, allowing for efficient patient management and staff workflow. Special attention was given to the needs of patients and visitors, with easy accessibility being a priority in the design.
Embracing the curves
Gehry's design embraces curves with a poetic fluidity, challenging the rigidity of traditional architectural forms. The curves create a sense of movement and grace, inviting observers to follow the natural flow of the structure. The varying heights of different sections of the concert hall add layers to the visual composition, creating a sense of rhythm and asymmetry that is both bold and captivating.
Whether it's at a small or large scale, movement always fit's into Gehry's design stories. Everything he does is deliberate. In design, movement is the delicate interplay of shape, color, texture, scale, and touch — a synergy that inspires and creates an emotional connection with the public. Establishing this connection with individuals not only influences their decisions but also encourages them to share their experiences. To achieve this, strategic application of aesthetic principles, coupled with a clear purpose and thoughtful critique, elicits the desired and meaningful responses.
Reflection
The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health by Frank Gehry is more than just a medical facility; it is a testament to how architecture can embody and advance the mission of an institution. Gehry’s design effectively communicates the center's dual roles in clinical service and community outreach, making it a landmark not only in architectural circles but also in the field of brain health.
As visitors and patients approach the building, they are met with a structure that challenges conventional architectural norms and encourages a deeper reflection on the complexities of the human brain. In this way, Gehry’s building goes beyond its primary function as a medical facility and becomes a powerful tool for education and awareness. The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is not only a place for healing the body but also for inspiring the mind, making it a unique and essential institution in the landscape of modern medicine and architecture.
