Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Design flaws in Frank Gehry's Stata Center at MIT


MIT Strata Center
Originally uploaded by Sydneyhuang
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is suing architect Frank Gehry over serious design flaws. According to the New York Times article "MIT Sues Architect Frank Gehry,"

"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."

Looks like the Los Angeles firm didn't take into account that in Boston, it's not always sunny like in Southern California (and Bilbao?).

Unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me that there are engineering problems in Gehry's building because Gehry doesn't know how to use a computer(!) Whimsical creations of the mind are all well and good on paper, but when people will be using the buildings, you better really look at the structural features.

Maybe Gehry needs to brush up on his Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) basics. He can come to the Mid-Manhattan Library and use the entire set of the Kaplan architectural exam preparation books. (The current year's edition is for reference only, and past years' editions can be brought home.) He can also check out the books we have on construction in the 690s.

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