
Gardner architect’s vision becomes reality

Architect Renzo Piano, a Pritzker Prize winner whose firm has designed and renovated art museums around the world, designed the new wing at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Architect Renzo Piano, right, and Anne Hawley, director of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, met at the museum in 2008.
Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The original Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum building seen through windows of the new special exhibitions gallery, under construction on Nov. 23, 2010.
John Blanding/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

In the new gallery, natural light is controlled by a system of overlapping shades.
David L. Ryan/globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Construction of the museum on April 19, 2011.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The addition is clad in glass and patinated copper.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Building of the central stairway on April 19, 2011.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

A view of the palace from the central staircase.
David Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Aerial view of the construction site in June 2011 shows the original palace in the foreground and the new wing being built behind.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Construction in April 2011 of the glass-walled corridor that links the new wing to the existing museum.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

In May 2011 workers built the glass-covered walkway
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The glass corrider was completed and connected to the new wing.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

Workers inside the Living Room, which is next to the main entrance, in April 2011.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The finished Living Room on Jan 11, 2012, is a place where visitors can talk to the staff at the museum.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The $114 million addition is slightly larger than Gardner's original at 70,000 square feet.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

A view of an exterior staircase.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

A construction worker worked on the glass facade in November 2011.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

In the Calderwood Performance Hall, musicians tested the acoustics.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012

The Gardner Museum's new main entrance is on Evans Way.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
| January 14, 2012