The spiral design of the building draws inspiration from a nautilus shell. When discussing the design and shape of the building, Wright was quoted as stating: “these geometric forms suggest certain human ideas, moods, sentiments – as for instance: the circle, infinity; the triangle, structural unity; the spiral, organic progress; the square, integrity.” [1]
Before opening its doors, the design of the museum was often criticized, with many architects and artists expressing concern and discontent that the building’s design would cloud the museum’s artworks. Wright replied to his critics that contrary to their concerns, the design made “the building and the painting an uninterrupted, beautiful symphony such as never existed in the World of Art before.” [2] When officially opening its doors on October 21, 1959, six months after Wright’s death, the building and its design earned wide praise.
In 1990, the museum and its interior were individually designated as New York City Landmarks. The museum has also gained status as a National Historic Landmark (2008), a spot on the National Register of Historic Places (2005), and most recently, in 2019, the Guggenheim was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Today, it continues to serve as a source of inspiration for many artists and architects.