Frank Gehry Sued Over Stata Center

Offbeat is not so into bringing the news as it is bringing the odd but this is big. Offbeat and world renowned architect Frank Gehry is being sued by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The problem; or at this point, allegations include serious design flaws in Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s new Stata Centre. This is one beautiful offbeat building as you can plainly see:

However a building, even one so widely appreciated for it’s offbeat angles and form is only as good as how long it will stand solid.

According to Scotsman.com, “The lawsuit says the university paid Los Angeles-based Gehry Partners $15 million (£7.2 million) to design the centre, which cost £144 million to build. MIT alleges that soon after its completion in spring 2004, the centre’s outdoor amphitheatre began to crack due to drainage problems. It also says snow and ice fell from window boxes and other areas, blocking emergency exits and damaging parts of the building.”

On the flip side there may be fewer issues than it seems. According to The New York Times, “Mr. Gehry said he had received several expressions of support from people at the institute. “The professors and the people that we all did the building for are sending me e-mails dumbfounded that their institution is doing this,” he said.”

I like Gehry’s work overall, although some of it is outside of my general taste. I do think it’s hard to believe someone of his skill level might make mistakes like the ones being claimed — could be construction though as well if there are mistakes. I guess time will tell.