[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":122},["ShallowReactive",2],{"7UzKkggbhq4JLFudDzXjy0dUVaVValEhPAuj31tYgNk":3,"_apollo:default":120,"_apollo:identified":121},{"allSettings":4,"seo":10,"posts":21},{"customSettings":5,"__typename":9},{"urlFront":6,"urlPreview":7,"__typename":8},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.3ds.com","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-build-prd.itvpc.3ds.com","CustomSettings","Settings",{"social":11,"openGraph":17,"__typename":20},{"twitter":12,"__typename":16},{"cardType":13,"username":14,"__typename":15},"summary_large_image","dassault3ds","SEOSocialTwitter","SEOSocial",{"defaultImage":18,"__typename":19},null,"SEOOpenGraph","SEOConfig",{"nodes":22,"__typename":119},[23],{"id":24,"slug":25,"title":26,"uri":27,"excerpt":28,"locale":29,"featuredImage":32,"tableOfContents":40,"content":46,"date":47,"translations":48,"author":49,"tags":63,"globalTags":71,"brands":74,"industries":77,"keywords":105,"seo":108,"__typename":118},"cG9zdDozMDYwMTg=","frank-gehry-and-the-digital-breakthrough-that-made-the-guggenheim-bilbao-possible","Frank Gehry and the Digital Breakthrough That Made the Guggenheim Bilbao Possible","\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Ffrank-gehry-and-the-digital-breakthrough-that-made-the-guggenheim-bilbao-possible","\u003Cp>How CATIA helped transform an architectural vision of seemingly impossible curves into a precisely engineered, industrially produced landmark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":30,"__typename":31},"en_US","Locale",{"node":33,"__typename":39},{"large":34,"__typename":35,"medium_large":34,"thumbnail":36,"srcSet":37,"sizes":38},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao-768x512.jpg","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao-150x150.jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fguggenheim-bilbao.jpg 1440w","(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[41,42,43,44,45],"A building conceived as part of a city’s transformation|a-building-conceived-as-part-of-a-citys-transformation-0","From an expressive model to an exact digital definition|from-an-expressive-model-to-an-exact-digital-definition-1","Industrializing complexity|industrializing-complexity-2","A shared language across disciplines|a-shared-language-across-disciplines-3","A lasting digital legacy|a-lasting-digital-legacy-4","\n\u003Cp>When the \u003Cstrong>Guggenheim Museum Bilbao\u003C\u002Fstrong> opened in 1997, its flowing titanium forms appeared to defy the conventions of architecture and perhaps even the practical limits of construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Frank Gehry’s building was more than a spectacular new museum. It demonstrated how digital technology could connect creative freedom with engineering precision and industrial execution. In doing so, the project helped change how some of the world’s most complex buildings would be designed and delivered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Discover B1M documentary to learn more on this pivotal achievement and combination of ambition, technology and human expertise that made it possible:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\u003Cdiv class=\"ds-video\">\u003Ca data-3ds-videoplayer=\"modal\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fwatch?v=FnrPZuN0m-0\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan class=\"ImageCover Border Block\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\u002F\u002Fimg.youtube.com\u002Fvi\u002FFnrPZuN0m-0\u002Fhqdefault.jpg); width:100%; height: 100%;\">\u003Cspan class=\"Btn--circle isCenter\">\u003Ci class=\"Icon Icon--playBig\">\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cspan>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Frank Gehry's Guggenheim Bilbao Changed Architecture Forever\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.youtube.com\u002Fembed\u002FFnrPZuN0m-0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C\u002Fiframe>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-building-conceived-as-part-of-a-citys-transformation-0\">A building conceived as part of a city’s transformation\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In the early 1990s, Bilbao was confronting the decline of the heavy industries that had shaped its economy for generations. Shipyards and factories were closing, unemployment was high and the Nervión riverfront had become a visible reminder of the city’s industrial decline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Basque authorities responded with an ambitious regeneration strategy encompassing transportation, infrastructure, environmental improvements and culture. A new Guggenheim museum, designed by \u003Cstrong>Frank Gehry\u003C\u002Fstrong>, would become its most recognizable expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gehry proposed a building composed of sweeping, irregular volumes rather than conventional straight lines and right angles. Its forms evoked ships, fish scales and the industrial character of Bilbao’s port. Yet the qualities that made the design so powerful also presented an extraordinary question: how could shapes conceived through sketches and physical models be described, engineered and manufactured with sufficient accuracy to be built?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-1.png\" alt=\"concept sketches for the museum\" class=\"wp-image-306028\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-1.png 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-1-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003Cem>Frank Gehry’s concept sketches for the museum. Image courtesy of Gehry Partners, LLP.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"from-an-expressive-model-to-an-exact-digital-definition-1\">From an expressive model to an exact digital definition\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gehry and his team found part of the answer in an unexpected industry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They adopted CATIA, for \u003Cstrong>Virtual Twin design and engineering\u003C\u002Fstrong>, whose origins were in aerospace. The technology had already been used to develop highly complex aircraft, where curved surfaces, thousands of interconnected components and extremely precise manufacturing requirements must be managed as one coherent product definition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For the Guggenheim Bilbao, this capability introduced a new relationship between \u003Cstrong>architectural design and industrial engineering\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gehry could continue to develop ideas through drawings and physical models, media central to his creative process. The resulting forms could then be translated into mathematically defined 3D surfaces. Instead of simplifying the architecture to suit conventional drawings and construction methods, the project team could use the digital model to preserve its geometric intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>CATIA made it possible to view and analyze the building’s complex surfaces from every angle. More importantly, the model became a precise source of information for engineering, fabrication and assembly. The building was no longer represented only by a collection of drawings; it could be understood as an integrated system of constructible components.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>CATIA did not merely visualize the shape. It helped break the design down into thousands of parts that could be produced and positioned with \u003Cstrong>millimeter-level precision\u003C\u002Fstrong>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage.png\" alt=\"CATIA model of the Guggenheim Museum\" class=\"wp-image-306026\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage.png 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-300x169.png 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.3ds.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2026\u002F09\u002Fimage-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp class=\"has-text-align-center\">\u003Cem>A CATIA model of the Guggenheim Museum, bilbao. Image courtesy of Gehry Partners, LLP.\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"industrializing-complexity-2\">Industrializing complexity\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>One of the Guggenheim’s most important lessons is that industrialization does not have to mean visual standardization.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Although the museum appears organic and spontaneous, its construction depended on rigorous control of geometry and information. CATIA enabled the project team to define unique components while maintaining their relationship to the complete structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This was particularly valuable for the building envelope. The museum would ultimately be covered with approximately 33,000 thin titanium panels. CATIA could digitally “unfold” the curved surfaces and produce two-dimensional definitions for the individual panels from which those surfaces would be assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The process connected architectural geometry to \u003Cstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Fprefabrication-design\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Fprefabrication-design\">fabrication\u003C\u002Fa> \u003C\u002Fstrong>data. Complex curvature could be rationalized into parts that manufacturers could cut, form, identify and deliver for installation. It was a powerful early demonstration of \u003Cstrong>design-to-manufacturing continuity\u003C\u002Fstrong> applied to construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Behind the titanium skin, however, was another level of complexity. Engineers developed a layered solution consisting of a primary steel structure, secondary curved framing and a tertiary mesh supporting the exterior surface. Many structural elements were unique, and their position had to correspond precisely to the digital geometry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-shared-language-across-disciplines-3\">A shared language across disciplines\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Guggenheim Bilbao also foreshadowed a profound change in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Fovercome-industry-fragmentation\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Fovercome-industry-fragmentation\">construction project collaboration.\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Architects, engineers and builders traditionally worked through discipline-specific drawings and documents. Every translation between those documents created opportunities for information to be lost or interpreted differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>A Virtual Construction Twin offered the project team a shared geometric reference. It allowed design intent to move more directly from Gehry’s studio to engineering and fabrication, even when stakeholders were working in different cities and countries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>This approach anticipated many principles now associated with (BIM) Building Information Modeling and virtual twins: multidisciplinary collaboration around shared data, continuity between project phases and the ability to connect design decisions to real-world production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-lasting-digital-legacy-4\">A lasting digital legacy\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Frank Gehry’s pioneering use of CATIA created a continuous path from hand-drawn idea to physical model, digital definition, engineering and fabrication. It allowed the project team to preserve the expressive power of the original design while giving manufacturers and builders the precise information required to make it real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Today, CATIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform take this principle further. Architecture, engineering, construction and manufacturing teams can work within a shared virtual environment, connecting design, simulation, collaboration and fabrication across the project lifecycle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Gehry later founded \u003Cstrong>Gehry Technologies\u003C\u002Fstrong>, whose Digital Project applications used CATIA as their core modeling engine. The technology was subsequently applied to other highly ambitious buildings and infrastructure projects, extending these methods throughout the architecture, engineering and construction sector.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Discover how \u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.3ds.com\u002Fproducts\u002Fcatia\u002Fbuildings-infrastructure\">\u003Cstrong>CATIA for Buildings and Infrastructure\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003Cstrong> connects creative design with engineering and construction.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n","2026-09-02T13:50:40",[],{"node":50,"__typename":62},{"nicename":51,"description":52,"slug":53,"name":54,"firstName":55,"lastName":56,"avatar":57,"__typename":61},"margaux-poulain","","Margaux POULAIN","Margaux Poulain","Margaux","Poulain",{"default":58,"url":59,"__typename":60},"mm","https:\u002F\u002Fsecure.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F4a338c28f051d7ea3d70fac6cd70e9d430cc6b977d84dfc436480f5be1b17ee6?s=96&d=mm&r=g","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":64,"__typename":70},[65],{"id":66,"name":67,"uri":68,"__typename":69},"dGVybTo4NTU5","Design & Simulation","\u002Ftopics\u002Fdesign-simulation\u002F","Taxonomy_topic","PostToTaxonomy_topicConnection",{"nodes":72,"__typename":73},[],"PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"nodes":75,"__typename":76},[],"PostToTaxonomy_brandConnection",{"edges":78,"nodes":102,"__typename":104},[79],{"isPrimary":80,"node":81,"__typename":101},true,{"slug":82,"name":83,"industries":84,"__typename":100},"architecture-engineering-construction","Architecture, Engineering & Construction",{"nodes":85,"__typename":99},[86],{"translations":87,"__typename":98},[88,92,95],{"post_title":89,"locale":90,"__typename":91},"Architecture, ingénierie et construction","fr_FR","Translation",{"post_title":93,"locale":94,"__typename":91},"建築・建設","ja",{"post_title":96,"locale":97,"__typename":91},"건축\u002F엔지니어링\u002F건설","ko_KR","Industry","Taxonomy_industryToIndustryConnection","Taxonomy_industry","PostToTaxonomy_industryConnectionEdge",[103],{"name":83,"slug":82,"__typename":100},"PostToTaxonomy_industryConnection",{"nodes":106,"__typename":107},[],"PostToTaxonomy_keywordConnection",{"title":109,"metaDesc":110,"opengraphAuthor":52,"opengraphDescription":110,"opengraphTitle":26,"opengraphUrl":111,"opengraphSiteName":112,"opengraphPublishedTime":113,"opengraphModifiedTime":114,"twitterTitle":52,"twitterDescription":52,"readingTime":115,"metaRobotsNoindex":116,"__typename":117},"Frank Gehry, CATIA and the Digital Making of Guggenheim Bilbao","Discover how Frank Gehry pioneered the use of CATIA to turn the Guggenheim Bilbao’s complex curves into industrially manufactured architecture.","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-frontoffice-contrib-prd.itvpc.3ds.com\u002Findustries\u002Farchitecture-engineering-construction\u002Ffrank-gehry-and-the-digital-breakthrough-that-made-the-guggenheim-bilbao-possible\u002F","Dassault Systèmes blog","2026-09-02T13:50:40+00:00","2026-09-03T09:40:50+00:00",5,"index","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1788467112459]