Lehi project shares the Gehry 'look'

Andersen says even if there are similarities among the projects, the sheer nature of the Lehi location and a water theme sets his project apart from the others, potentially qualifying it for one of Gehry's "greatest works."

The larger density of the other developments is another distinguishing factor, he said.

The similitude between the projects could also be evidence of a growing trend of instilling mixed-use projects in America, said Antonio Serrato-Combe, professor of architecture at University of Utah's College of Architecture and Planning.

Using Salt Lake City's Gateway development as an example, Serrato-Combe said other parallel examples can be found all over the world, but especially in Europe and larger cities.

Having similar projects with reflective themes in different places isn't necessarily a bad thing, either, Serrato-Combe said, and it's certainly not a criticism that could only be applied to Gehry.

"You could say the same thing of Frank Lloyd Wright," Serrato-Combe said. "Once you start to design your own style, it's not that (you're) repeating, it's like music, if you have the same author. You can go into the classics — Mozart's music is pretty much the same, but it doesn't mean it's bad. It's Mozart."

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