Building the Getty

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One of America's most eminent architects shares his experience in undertaking the monumental architectural commission of the Getty Center in Los Angeles. With wit and passion, Richard Meier provides an engrossing account of the thirteen-year, one-billion-dollar project. Selected from over thirty architects after a rigorous interview process, Meier was tasked with designing a cultural campus on a stunning 110-acre site overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Getty was a new cultural institution, and Meier collaborated closely with program directors to create buildings that would best serve their needs. Initially, neither he nor the Getty anticipated the complexities ahead. The project's sheer scale and the multitude of stakeholders involved meant constant revisions were necessary. While construction progressed, Meier lived on-site but also commuted to his New York office to manage ongoing European projects. Meanwhile, the team of architects in Los Angeles expanded to over a hundred. Although the design was finalized, extensive negotiations regarding materials, colors, and landscaping continued. By 1996, nearly half of the Center was ready for occupation, showcasing the collaborative efforts of architects, engineers, technicians, craftsmen, and builders over twelve years.