What Puts Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in the Hall of Shame?
Though it is near the center of the city, the Guggenheim shuns any relation to its context. The building challenges locals and tourists (not to mentioned handicapped people) to enter some of the least inviting public spaces and entranceways anywhere. The brutal design of the steps is demeaning to human beings. The endless blank and textureless surfaces are equally unfriendly. The lack of signage and amenity follow suit. People pass through this space as quickly as possible as there is nothing to do here but be impressed by the architecture. Bilbao is a very sociable city with a very sociable culture. This building has effectively banished social activity from its vast public spaces.
