renzo piano: kimbell art museum piano pavilion, fort worth, TX

renzo piano‘s pavilion will extend the original cycloid vaulted louis kahn masterpiece, the kimbell art museum. the ‘piano pavilion’ will allow the concrete form of the original structure to house the permanent collection. the white neighboring volume contains three galleries for display of traveling and curated exhibitions. a second auditorium has been designed for concerts. the extension also houses an expanded educational center with classrooms, workshops, and an expanded library, art storage and preparatory areas, and other supporting services such as a membership office, and security.

 

 

the pavilion conscientiously responds overall design of the original museum. its siting guides visitors to enter through the main west entrance portico. piano successfully maintains kahn’s vision to maximize the green space at the museum with a 65-yard park space. fountains parallelling the existing museum and pavilion extension create a tranquil environment. some 320 trees will be planted on the site — 47 elms will return the site to the state of its pre-1972-construction while a new grove of 52 yaupon holly trees at the main entrance will create a pleasant transition from the texas sun into the subtle luminosity of kahn’s museum.  an occupiable green roof will dramatically reduce the energy consumption for a gallery of its size. in contrast, the east wing creates energy with PVC cells on the glass roof. however, the north-facing louvers reduce the need for electric lighting. other sustainable features include: geothermal heating, low-energy LEDs throughout, high specification glazing units to reduce heat loss and solar gain, highly efficient air intake system, and efficient bathroom fixtures. generous underground parking sets the two buildings apart, beginning a dialogue in acknowledgment of their scale, proportion, layout, and materiality. the long low-profile pavilion expresses the vocabulary of kahn’s clerestory windows. the effect is created by the floating roof, where the space between the top of the wall and the roof beams glows with natural light. a recessed entrance, creates a 3-bay division of both buildings. meticulously formulated concrete is cast reflect the aesthetic of the original kimbell building. the smooth texture of the concrete is carried through the glass facade and douglas fir beams.

 

grand opening date: november 27, 2013

beginning of construction: fall 2010

cost:  piano pavilion: $135 million

sponsorship: kimbell art foundation, fort worth, TX

design architect: renzo piano building workshop, genoa, italy

executive architect: kendall/heaton associates, inc., houston, TX

project manager: paratus group, new york, ny

construction manager: the beck group, dallas/fort worth, tx

structural engineer: guy nordenson and associates, new york, ny, and brockette, davis, drake, inc., dallas, TX

lighting: arup lighting, london, UK

mep engineers: arup, london, UK, with summit consultants, fort worth, TX

civil engineer: huitt zollars, fort worth, TX

facade consultant: front, new york, NY

landscape architect: pond & company, norcross, GA

concrete consultants: dottor group, venice, italy, and reg hough, rhinebeck, NY

graphic design: pentagram, new york, NY

acoustical/audiovisual: harvey marshall berling associates inc., new york, NY

geotechnical engineers: henley johnston associates, dallas, TX

wind engineering: rowan williams davies & irwin, guelph, ontario

security: architects security group, ormand beach, FL

campus size: 9 1/2 acres

pavilion size: approximately 81,748 sf 

pavilion height: 22 ft. 6 in. 

pavilion width: 82 ft.

pavilion length: 300 ft.

total gallery space: 16,200 sf

east wing galleries: 7,100 sf (southeast), 4,300 sf

west wing galleries: 4,700 sf

lobby: 5,810 sf

education center: 2,856 sf

auditorium: 4,100 sf; 298 seats, including 33 in balcony

library: 6,515 sf

underground parking garage: 52,892 sf; capacity for 135 cars