Gesner can be credited for a large part of the unique visual culture that comprises the Malibu landscape. His Wave House, built in 1957, inspired the Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who went on to design the Sydney Opera House. More recently, Getty Museum architect Richard Meier insisted the museum restore a Gesner house on property it had acquired years ago. "Meier said, 'Don't tear the house down. It's an example of his work, and a very good one.' I can't believe he did this, but he did," Gesner boasts. "They put about a million dollars into fixing it up so it could be a center for their trustees. I was amazed I had designed it, it looked so great."