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MIT Sues Frank Gehry Over Buggy $300M CS Building
theodp writes "MIT has filed a negligence suit against world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, charging that flaws in his design of the $300 million Stata Center, one of the most celebrated works of architecture unveiled in years, caused leaks to spring, masonry to crack, mold to grow, and drainage to back up. The complex, which houses a Who's Who of Computing including Tim Berners-Lee and Richard Stallman, includes the William H. Gates Building."
So they named a building after Bill Gates.
Now the building is full of holes and needs lots of patching up.
Perhaps they were tempting fate there?
next time they should hire a civil engineer ...
Or 1.2 A-Rods in Standard Approximation Units.
You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
Did it crash?
"A nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it." - Churchill
to qoute:
"Not warranted to be useful for any purpose. Not intended for any critical or even any trivial functions, users assume all risks and will indemnify and hold blameless the architect and builders. User(s) also waive all right to recourse without the express written consent of the builders or architect. By reading this EULA you agree to all terms of the EULA. This EULA can be modified or revoked at anytime without notice by the builders or architect."
OK, a bit silly. Unless of course it has to do with software.
putting the 'B' in LGBTQ+
TFA says MIT also sued Skanska, the GC. I'd be curious to know how much of the fault lies with Skanska and its subcontractors.
I live in Cambridge (actually about 4 blocks from the building in question). If there's one thing that's universally true in the Boston area, it's that the quality of construction is exceedingly shoddy. People don't know how to build things well here.
"Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
"640 square meters ought to be enough for everyone"
They have their mail address encoded as:
mailto: webmaster@csail.mit.edu
That's world class brains for ya!
No way a spam harvest bot is going to decode that.
That's why they get the big bucks.
If the Computer Science department learned about KISS design they wouldn't be in that problem... I don't know if I would want to hire a CS Student from MIT if they don't teach the KISS Concept...
Newsflash: *Most* graduates of MIT have never learned how to kiss (though why you capitalize the term, I have no idea).
Apology to Ubuntu forum.
To do a project this big, you need an architect with a vision, an engineer who can see reality, a builder who can build it right, and a U.N. peacemaker to keep them from killing each other.
Oh, and you need a customer with the balls to say "if you can't work together and give me a building that not only looks good but lasts a long time, you are all fired."
On a related note, the building should have a functional warranty for 10-20 years with the payments for all of these guys spread over an equal period of time. Warranty claims will be deducted against these guys' remaining paychecks.
Knowledge is how to play a game, intelligence is how to win, wisdom is knowing what game to play.
Oh sure, "keep it simple" from the same place that gave us emacs...
These buildings are ugly now and they were just built. I can only imagine how future generations will look at this Gehry turds on the urban landscape.
Whatever, I'm going to just warm up some Jiffy Pop and enjoy the demolition of these eyesores. I can't wait to find out if the Millenium Park Concert Center has popcorn inside.
P.S. this is not meant to be a troll. I really am this apoplectic whenever I see a city, or instution paying for work that I consider hideous.
The Generation
I'd say something witty here, but I'm not that bright.
but don't they have a team of engineers involved to make sure things like this don't happen
Perhaps, on the MIT campus, they couldn't find one?
Architect Dude: Here is the model for your building of the future! It has all of these cool features, and looks pretty damn schnazzy to boot
Bean Counter Dude: How much does it cost?
Architect Dude: This baby will cost you about $350 million to build
Bean Counter Dude: Whoa nellie, that's way too freakin much! Let's see, we don't need this here, or that there
Architect Dude: But those are needed for good drainage. Without them, you'll get mold
Bean Counter: That fine - we'll buy dehumidifiers.. either way, I'll be long gone to my next corporate scam by the time that happens
Architect Dude: m'kay
Bean Counter: Let's see, we also don't need this here, or that there
Architect Dude: But those support structures aren't just visual. They keep the Left Wing from sagging under its own weight
Bean Counter: Well, we'll just put less furniture in there. How long would it take to be a problem?
Architect Dude: I dunno, 2 years, maybe 3?
Bean Counter: Cool, I'll have my bonus before then and will be retired, living in Costa Rica. Perfect. Take it out!
and so on...
Too often, brilliant technological works are crippled by bean counters with too much throw, to save a small percentage of cost..
As an occupant of the building, I have to say that it's not really buggy at all. There are very few bugs, in fact. The bigger problem is with the fucking mice. The building is so full of holes that mice (and pigeons, sometimes!) wander in.
So you need three imaginary people and an engineer?
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
Ah! Maybe a fellow Vancouverite?
Q: How can you tell summer has come to Vancouver?
A: They take the tarp off your condo roof.
If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.
I look at them and think "what I wouldn't give for some stone columns."
The Generation
I'd say something witty here, but I'm not that bright.