Frank O. Gehry, the Canadian-American architect whose audacious, sculptural designs liberated modern architecture and whose Guggenheim Museum Bilbao revolutionised urban planning and firmly put the post-industrial city on the global map, died on Friday, December 5, at his home in Santa Monica. He was 96. The cause was a brief respiratory illness, confirmed by his firm.

Widely considered one of the most important designers since Frank Lloyd Wright, Gehry was the most prominent voice of Deconstructivism, a style characterised by fragmented forms, non-rectilinear shapes, and a rejection of traditional cool formalism. His buildings, clad in shimmering titanium and steel, blurred the lines between architecture and sculpture, challenging both critics and the public.

The ever lasting “Bilbao Effect”

Gehry’s most impactful creation, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, opened in 1997 on the banks of the Nervión River in Spain, single-handedly placing the once-shabby, post-industrial Basque city on the global cultural map and helping the city to regain the pride it needed to put an end to separatist terrorism. The curving, seemingly chaotic titanium-clad structure was an instant international sensation, drawing upward of 1 million visitors a year and generating massive economic and cultural revitalisation.

This transformative process, coined the “Bilbao Effect“, became a global blueprint for urban renewal driven by a single piece of landmark architecture. The success was so profound that in 1997, his peer, the eminent architect Philip Johnson, proclaimed the Bilbao museum “the greatest building of our time”.

A legacy of not only curves

Gehry’s vision extended far further than Bilbao. His other unmistakable works include the sweeping curves of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles (2003), the distinctive Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris (2014), and the bold, raw aesthetic of his own Gehry Residence in Santa Monica.

Essentially, Gehry’s practice pioneered the use of CATIA software, initially developed for the French aerospace industry, to translate his spontaneous physical models into precise, constructible blueprints. This innovation helped usher in the era of digital design in architecture. A winner of the 1989 Pritzker Prize, architecture’s highest honour, Gehry received global recognition eight years before the Guggenheim was even completed, making him recognised as a revolutionary long before the titanium sheen of Bilbao captured the world’s imagination.

Frank Gehry, born Frank Owen Goldberg in 1929, leaves behind a legacy defined by risk-taking and an emotional, visceral power in his buildings that revived architectural spirit after decades of restraint. He will be remembered not just for the spectacle of his forms but for irrevocably changing the way buildings are designed and how cities utilise architecture to dream again.

A Romanian motorist launched his Mercedes into the air and flew over cars – yet miraculously got up, dusted himself off and walked away, without life-threatening injuries.

Extraordinary CCTV footage filmed on December 3 captures the moment the speeding vehicle rockets into a roundabout, clips the kerb and is catapulted high above traffic, flies over a bus and two cars, almost hits the cctv camera before smashing into a roadside pole just yards from a petrol station in the Northwestern city of Oradea.

What caused the flying car incident?

Police say the driver had suffered a diabetic episode behind the wheel, lost control and careered into the junction at high speed.  In the footage, the Mercedes briefly vanishes from frame before a deafening crash rings out as it ploughs into the metal post on a grass verge. Residents in nearby apartment blocks reported hearing the impact, according to local reports. The driver, who became trapped in the wreckage, was pulled free and taken to hospital with multiple fractures. Doctors later confirmed he had fainted at the wheel due to dangerously low blood sugar.

Investigators say the Mercedes driver had entered the roundabout the wrong way, hitting the central island at speed and launching into the air. The vehicle shot past a bus and vaulted over two cars waiting to pull out, before thundering down just metres from a petrol station, narrowly avoiding a devastating explosion.  Police have since suspended his licence for 90 days and issued a 1,600-lei (€300) fine, with inquiries ongoing.

Other famous roundabout launches

March 2023, Belgium: Professional footballer Sofian Kiyine in a Mercedes-AMG flew 44 metres through the roof of a sports hall after hitting the central island at nearly 200 km/h. He broke several bones but survived.

April 2020, Poland: A Suzuki Swift launched 64 metres over an embankment near Lodz, snapped a tree in half and landed in a cemetery. The 41-year-old driver luckily walked away with minor injuries.

September 2018, Swindon, UK: A silver Citroën van became airborne for almost 20 metres after overtaking and striking the curb, landing with a spectacular crash in a “Dukes of Hazzard”-style jump. All three occupants survived.

January 2024, Chatteris, UK: A car soared over the entire roundabout, spun mid-air and nose-dived onto the exit road; the driver climbed out unharmed and simply walked away.

Navarro’s winning classic panettone is crafted using a slow sourdough fermentation process with Madagascar vanilla, combined with orange, lemon, apricot, peach and raisins. This blend gives the product a distinctly Mediterranean personality that appeals widely – who wouldn’t appreciate both artisan methods and regional produce?! Alongside the award-winning classic, Navarro also presented innovative creations, including “My Mother’s Perfume,” a panettone filled with white chocolate and freeze-dried rose petals. The recipe was inspired by the rose fragrance worn by his mother, offering a deeply personal touch that drew attention for its originality and elegance.

Cremoso’s success at the awards extended further, as Navarro also received recognition in the Best Innovative Panettone category and achieved third place in the Best Panettone Artisan in Iberia category. These achievements position Cremoso as one of the leading artisan bakeries in the region and highlight the growing prestige of Murcia’s pastry scene.

From December 4 to January 5, Cremoso will present its full range of panettones at Stand 24 of the Craft Fair on Avenida Alfonso X in Murcia. Visitors will have the chance to try an extensive variety, including versions such as “death by chocolate,” Lotus biscuit, white chocolate and pistachio, apple tart and the “pijotero,” a playful reference to the local term meaning posh or fussy. For expats living in or visiting Spain, the fair offers an excellent opportunity to explore high-quality regional baking and to taste the products that have earned Cremoso national acclaim.

Navarro emphasised during his presentation that the results achieved are the product of dedication, long hours and the steady support of his wife, María Dolores, whose contribution forms an essential part of the bakery’s daily work.

Though this is the first time the Murciattone has been recognised in the panettone competition, the bakery is no stranger to awards. Past accolades include Spain’s best cake (2011), best artistic chocolate piece (2013), best regional meat pie (2016), and other prestigious honours such as the “Sartén de Oro” for best bakery in the Region of Murcia.

Why expats in Spain should care

For expats living in Spain – particularly those based in or visiting Murcia or the nearby Mediterranean coast – discovering the Murciattone offers a unique chance to connect with regional culinary craftsmanship. It’s more than a festive treat: it’s a reflection of the local terroir, combining Mediterranean produce with European baking heritage.

Whether you’re looking for a special dessert for gatherings, or simply curious about Spanish artisan pastries beyond the usual classics, the Murciattone represents a delicious, authentic option – and one that has already earned national recognition for its quality.