renzo piano pavilion at KAM construction coming to a close

renzo piano pavilion at KAM construction coming to a close
looking southward to the piano pavilion’s layered glass roof/wood beam system. the louis kahn building is to the left
photo: robert laprelle © kimbell art museum

the kimbell art museum (KAM) in fort worth, texas is expanding with the ‘renzo piano pavilion’, named after the architect himself. located only a few paces away from the original building designed by louis kahn in the 1970s, the addition maintains a constant dialogue with its predecessor. facing entrances force visitors to enter through the west portico, as originally intended. a garden between the edifices fulfills the initial intent to maximize surrounding green space, and allows an easy transition from the brilliant texan daylight into the diffuse lighting of the galleries. the constructions contrast in material, but are balanced in plan, proportion and scale, and the language of clerestory windows remains. the glass and photovoltaic cells of the east wing float above with long cantilevers that shade the facade, while the west wing camouflages into the site with a green roof that sits slightly above ground level to allow daylight into subterranean spaces. housing educational programs, an auditorium, and galleries for traveling and temporary exhibitions, construction is well under way, and close to completion. the structure is in place, excavated earth has been infilled, trees have been planted, and grass is growing. the roof has been installed, enclosing the galleries where wiring is in place in anticipation of interior finishes, lighting and artwork for the extension’s opening on  27 november 2013.

see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

kimbell art museum expansion, fort worth, u.s.a
photo © aerial photography inc.

kimbell art museum expansion, fort worth, u.s.a
photo: robert laprelle © kimbell art museum

workers install thousands of aluminum mechanical louvers that will direct diffused sunlight into the galleries below and capture energy with embedded photo-voltaic cells
photo: robert laprelle © kimbell art museum

workers install wiring for light fixtures between the massive douglas fir roof beams that span the museum building’s primary galleries and lobby
photo: robert laprelle © kimbell art museum

kimbell art museum expansion, fort worth, u.s.a
photo: onur teke © RPBW 

kimbell art museum expansion, fort worth, u.s.a
photo: onur teke © RPBW

video courtesy kimbell art museum