Bard College

Frank Gehry · Red Hook · 1860

Bard College
Editor's Pick

A silver-maned lion of a building roaring in the Hudson Valley.

Private liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.

Featured in Frank Gehry's definitive monograph, Building Art: Life and Work of Frank Gehry.

Visitor Guide

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Visitor Tip

Stand directly under the overhanging stainless steel 'shingles'; the hidden bracket system makes them appear to float mid-air.

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Best Photo Spot

The south lawn in the late afternoon, where the 5,647 stainless-steel shingles reflect the sky and surrounding trees like a mirror.

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Access & Hours

Lobby and grounds are generally open; theaters are accessible during performances or scheduled tours.

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Insider Note

The Sosnoff Theater is built as a separate 'box' within the shell to ensure zero sound interference from the adjacent LUMA side.

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Time Needed

1-2 hours

Design & Structure

FreeformShell StructureDouble-Curved
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Computational Process

Gehry used 'Digital Project' (CATIA adaptation) to model the thousands of unique steel shingles, ensuring they could be manufactured and installed efficiently.

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Materiality

40,000 sq ft of fir veneer for the interior and 5,647 stainless-steel shingles for the iconic roof.[38]

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Structural Innovation

The 'sails' are non-structural, purely theatrical; the actual theaters are independent concrete and steel structures underneath.

See Together

Buildings that pair well with Bard College — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed Bard College?+

Bard College was designed by Frank Gehry and completed in 1860. It is located in Red Hook, United States.

Where is Bard College located?+

Bard College is located in Red Hook, United States. Its coordinates are 42.0203°, -73.9100°.

When was Bard College built?+

Bard College was completed in 1860. It was designed by Frank Gehry.

Can I visit Bard College?+

Bard College is a real building in Red Hook 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.