Notes:
Notes:
The American Center in Paris was the first building in which Frank O. Gehry used'curved'stone. It was a surprising choice given his predilection for geometrically challenging forms but he chose it because he regards Paris as'the city of limestone'. The fragility of present-day limestone slabs in comparison with the sturdy blocks of the past was highlighted by this building; many of the Saint Maximin limestone slabs in th facade's lowest course were badly damaged by vandals shortly after the building's inauguration.