The ultimate collaboration between starchitect and pop artist.
Urban building in Venice, California in the shape of binoculars.
Featured in Frank Gehry's definitive monograph, Building Art: Life and Work of Frank Gehry.
Visitor Guide
You can drive through the binoculars! They serve as the functional entrance to the building's parking garage.
Across Main Street in Venice, looking straight on to capture the three distinct facades: white, binoculars, and copper.
Private office (occupied by Google); exterior viewing is encouraged from the public sidewalk.
The binoculars were designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen and contain two small, functional conference rooms inside the tubes.
30 minutes
Design & Structure
A deconstructivist mix of three distinct styles, requiring careful spatial coordination between Gehry’s office and the artists' studio.
Concrete, lead-coated copper, and the smooth-finished surface of the binoculars sculpture.
The binoculars are a load-bearing sculpture integrated into the office building's concrete frame, challenging the division between art and structure.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Binoculars Building — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
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Yale University
Princeton University
Hennessy

University of Cincinnati
The Guardian
Yale New Haven Hospital
Nearby in Venice
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Binoculars Building?+
Binoculars Building was designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 2001. It is located in Venice, United States.
Where is Binoculars Building located?+
Binoculars Building is located in Venice, United States. Its coordinates are 33.9953°, -118.4770°.
When was Binoculars Building built?+
Binoculars Building was completed in 2001. It was designed by Frank Gehry.
Can I visit Binoculars Building?+
Binoculars Building is a real building in Venice that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.