The Kimbell Art Museum: The Original Louis Kahn Building
With eyes on the new glazed pavilion designed by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, here's a look back at Louis Kahn's original Kimbell, which put the institution on the architectural map.
When photographer Richard Barnes was in Fort Worth, Texas, documenting the new Renzo Piano Pavilion at the Kimbell Art Museum (designed, appropriately, by Renzo Piano, Hon. FAIA), he also documented the beloved 1972 masterwork designed by Louis Kahn that gave the arts institution its architectural pedigree. Here are some of those photos of what Kahn's Kimbell looks like 41 years on, supplemented with some of Kahn's original sketches, and archival photos from the design and construction process of the iconic structure.
Richard BarnesThe main entrance, with its grove of trees. View from the west.
Richard BarnesView southwest toward the new Renzo Piano Pavilion from under the colonnade of the Kahn building.
Richard BarnesKahn's 1972 building for the Kimbell Art Museum. View from the southwest.
Richard BarnesDouble staircase, leading from oft-used east entrance up to the galley levels on the main floor.
Richard BarnesGallery, with daylit vaults.
Richard BarnesView through to several vaulted galleries in the Kahn building.
Richard BarnesPaintings hung on the travertine gallery walls.
Richard BarnesView of the café.
Richard BarnesTheater in the original Kahn building (in this case showing a film of Renzo Piano describing the new pavilion).
Richard BarnesCourtyard.
Robert Wharton/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesLouis Kahn in front of the completed Kimbell Art Museum, photographed on Aug. 3, 1972.
Courtesy Kimbell Art Museum/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesSchematic section drawing (circa September 1967) of galleries and courtyard.
Courtesy Kimbell Art Museum/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesPerspective sketch by Kahn of the gallery interior (circa March 1967).
Robert Wharton/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesKimbell Art Museum site model (circa September 1968), the fourth version of the design.
Courtesy Kimbell Art Museum/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesRichard Brown, the first director of the Kimbell Art Museum, looking at drawings (circa 1968).
Courtesy University of Pennsylvania ArchivesGallery section drawing.
Robert Wharton/University of Pennsylvania ArchivesAerial photo taken during construction.
For more on the Renzo Piano Pavilion at the Kimbell Art Museum, including critiques, videos, and photo galleries, click here.
