News reports have surfaced that the city of Vaughan in Canada has filed two lawsuits of $3.25m each against Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB) and Stantec after the firms’ new city hall for Vaughan overran by $15.6m.

The Star reported yesterday that a statement of defence issued by KPMB suggests the problems occurred due to the ‘owner’s failure to adopt and execute proper owner construction practice, including the appointment of a competent and accountable project manager’.

The first phase of the scheme cost $122.6m - $15.6m over budget - and opened in September 2011. Since then, allegations have arisen that the mechanical rooms are not large enough to house the necessary equipment, sprinkler systems are unable to drain adequately, and fire codes have not been met. Click here to view images of the project in question.