Museum of Liverpool-Its Just One Cock Up After Another.

MANCHESTER architect AEW is facing a £1.1m bill after being successfully sued by the Museum of Liverpool.




The museum's board took the firm to the High Court earlier in the year over design flaws at the new museum on the city's waterfront.



The claim centred around problems with steps and an amphitheatre-style seating area at entrances on either side of the building. There were also faults with the suspended ceilings, one of which collapsed.



During construction AEW and its contractors struggled to make the steps flow seamlessly into the seating area, a feature of the original designs, and contrived a concrete plinth to cover the discrepancy. When this was seen by the museum's director Sharon Granville it was described as "an abomination".



A judgement issued by Mr Justice Akenhead recognised that one of the contractors, a joint venture between Galliford Try and Danish builder Pihl, was also partially responsible. It has been ordered to pay £205,000 of the total £1.1m bill. A separate judgement relating to the work on the ceilings is expected in several weeks.



In his summary the judge said: "The truth is that AEW knew and must have known by the October or November 2009 period that there had been a serious mistake and that it was simply not possible to achieve the practical and aesthetic effect required by the client and indeed by the planning permission which had been obtained.



"It is simply extraordinary that competent architects could consider that it was acceptable to adopt the plinth solution in any event given their client’s aspirations and wishes and, even worse, without seeking the informed approval of its client."



Sharon Granville, executive director of the Museum of Liverpool, said: "The court has found in favour of National Museums Liverpool on all counts. We are very pleased with the outcome.



"This financial award for the external works means that we will now be able to rectify the long-standing issues with the external steps and terraces at the museum and make them accessible to the public as soon as possible. We are grateful for Mr Justice Akenhead's decision and await the financial award for the ceilings inside the museum in a few weeks time."



AEW's managing director Steve Burns said: "We are disappointed with the outcome of the case. The matter is being dealt with by our insurers and does not affect the ongoing health of the business, but we take criticism seriously.



"We pride ourselves on outstanding levels of service, a fact borne out by over 95% of our business being for repeat clients. The management structure of the company has completely changed since the events of 2009 and we have moved in a different direction since then."



Construction started in 2007 and the museum opened in 2011. The museum originally sought damages of £