Threat of legal row looms over Museum of Liverpool
- Published: 22 April 2008 12:00
- Author: Richard Waite
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- Last Updated: 22 April 2008 12:00
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The saga surrounding the troubled Museum of Liverpool has taken yet another twist after ousted architect 3XN said it had sought legal advice over claims of unpaid fees and copyright infringement.
Kim Nielsen, whose practice was replaced on the prestige waterfront site by executive architect AEW in November, told the AJ he was planning to sue the museum over what he claimed was 'a substantial amount' of unpaid fees.
Nielsen said: 'When we finished our work we thought they would pay us off because they owe us a lot of extra money. But they didn't.'
He added: 'Our solicitors have since advised us about potential copyright issues which we hadn't even thought about.'
Since the Danish firm's departure from the £68 million scheme, the development has been mired in a media storm involving claims by Nielsen that the museum chiefs had meddled in the design and that AEW had tried to undermine him – a claim denied by AEW.
There have also been issues about a change in cladding from travertine stone to jura – a move which has recently received conditional approval from Liverpool City Council.
The museum has refuted Nielsen's claims. Director David Fleming said: 'National Museums Liverpool believes 3XN has no grounds for legal action and we are very happy with the way the project is proceeding.
'We have made the right decisions to protect the scheme and ensure its success.'
