Frank Gehry – Construction Defect Lawsuit Defendant
“The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is suing renowned architect Frank Gehry, alleging serious design flaws in the Stata Center, a building celebrated for its unconventional walls and radical angles.
“The school asserts that 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.”
The article goes on to state that the plaintiffs assert that the issue is not construction, but design. Third party consultants pointed this out prior to completion of construction but Gehry refused to budge. Normally architects are not brought into construction defect lawsuits, because it is so difficult to attribute responsibility. But occasionally there are design flaws that a general contractor or subcontractor may not be able to compensate for or anticipate. Or in the case of Gehry, the designs are so complex and so unique, that no conventional knowledge can be applied to evaluate construction details.
Besides, who is going to question Frank Gehry?
Update:The NY Times has another article with more information
7 November 2007 | Construction Defect, Construction and Law, Litigation | Comments
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