Kimmel Center sues architect

Officials at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia have sued the building’s internationally acclaimed architect, accusing the firm of “deficient and defective design work” and of delays that boosted the project’s final cost.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court over construction of the arts center, designed to be one of the world’s great venues for orchestral music, does not seek a specific amount of damages from Rafael Vinoly Architects, but it cites a loss of $23 million.

“This action arises from an architect who had a grand vision but was unable to convert that vision into reality, causing the owner to incur significant additional expenses to correct and overcome the architect’s errors and delays,” says the suit, filed Nov. 23. The Kimmel Center opened in December 2001.

Richard J. Davies, lawyer for Vinoly, said he had not seen the suit and could not comment on it. But he said previous claims that Kimmel executives had made didn’t have merit.