The Kimbell Art Museum is widely recognized for its landmark building designed by Louis Kahn, which opened in 1972. Renzo Piano’s pavilion design embodies respect for the original Kahn structure, while clearly expressing its own, complementary identity. In reverence to Kahn’s design, the new addition maintains the same height as the original museum and is sited facing, and on axis with, the western main entrance. The expansion is composed of two pavilions connected by glazed links. An iconic feature of the new design is its glazed roof system, which features deep cantilevered canopies, building integrated photovoltaics, and light-filtering motorized louvers, which all float above 100 ft (30.5 m) long beams of laminated Douglas Fir. Front consulted on the building envelope systems, from schematic design through construction administration, including the innovative light-diffusing roof and vertical glass wall enclosures.