In a previous post on Non-Designated Space, Phil Long at M.I.T. discussed the new learning spaces that needed to be created. M.I.T. did with the Stata Center designed by famed architect Frank Gehry. While it looks, in Gehry’s words, “looks like a party of drunken robots got together to celebrate.” It does what it is designed to do:

“It is a joy to work in this building,” said Rodney Brooks, a professor of robotics, “and I know that many of its occupants feel the same as I do about it. We asked Frank to give us a building that fostered communication, and he delivered.”

Unfortunately, M.I.T. is sueing Gehry because “of pervasive leaks, cracks and drainage problems that have required costly repairs.” Read the whole article from New York Times and see a picture of the building in question.

It is great that the building is not the traditional rectangle building. That is it has shape and personallity. But if the form affects the function, then does it matter? Could these problems be turned into engineering students class projects? Can a traditional building be considered a boon to non-designated learning space?

Mark Viquesney