The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is suing architect Frank Gehry, claiming that the architect ignored warnings about flaws in his design of the Stata Center. I suppose this will come down to the question of whether it was Gehry’s responsibility to make the building work or the engineer’s who implemented his design.
“The school alleges the center, completed in spring 2004, has persistent leaks, drainage problems and mold growing on its brick exterior. It says accumulations of snow and ice have fallen dangerously from window boxes and other areas of its roofs, blocking emergency exits and causing damage.”
M.I.T. Sues Architect Frank Gehry Associated Press 11/6/2007
Posted by Chris
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Person of Interest // August 25, 2008 at 3:54 pm |
Yale often dives headfirst into the shallow end of the pool of passing architectural fancy, but one might have expected more sense from the hard-nosed engineers at MIT. Stata Center not only looks like, but in function is, an expensive joke.
pb // November 19, 2008 at 7:33 pm |
A friend sent me a photo of this building, with which I was not familar. I am a builder. My instant, immediate reaction was, “That looks like a flashing nightmare.” “Flashing” is a method of waterproofing at the junctures of adjoining surfaces and materials.
It’s a shame so little common sense was applied to the design. I say that as someone who actually likes and is interested in much of Gehry’s work.