Frank Gehry, the Canadian-American architect whose dynamic buildings defied convention, cementing him as one of the most important and influential designers of his generation, died on Friday at his home in California. He was 96.

Meaghan Lloyd, his chief of staff, confirmed the death, according to the New York Times. His death followed a brief respiratory illness.

Known for his deconstructivist and playful style, Gehry’s projects often employed complex geometries and unique materials. His structures were inherently expressive, featuring curvilinear forms and bold, swooping edges.

Over a career that stretched more than half a century, Gehry completed and executed more than 150 projects around the world, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall in his hometown of Los Angeles and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago’s Millennium Park.