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Photos: Simplicity and light of Piano’s design

FOR Living. Boston, MA 1/12/2012 Soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa (cq), right, bows with pianist Vlad Iftinca (cq), after her encore performance in the Calderwood Hall at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum during the Special Opening Preview in Boston, MA on Thursday, January 12, 2012. (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff) Section: Living Slug: 13hall Reporter: n/a LOID: 5.0.751077085

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Soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa, right, bowed with pianist Vlad Iftinca, after her encore performance in the Calderwood Hall during the special opening preview on Jan. 12, 2012. Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff

Photos: Simplicity and light of Piano’s design

BOSTON, MA 01 / 08 / 2012: The Isabella Stewart Gardner museum getting ready, the big run up to the opening of the Gardner's new building with Jim Labeck, the project manager. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC : REPORTER Geoff Edgers

The new main entrance (left) of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is on Evans Way.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA., 01/11/ 2012: Glass tunnel to connect new and old. The Gardner Museum unveils its new building to the media. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :12gardner REPORTER

The glass corridor connecting the palace to the new wing.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 12/ 09/ 2011: The new wing with a view of the old palace at The Gardner Museum's new wing. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION :ARTS TOPIC :GARDNERMUSEUM REPORTER

The palace seen from the central staircase.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 12/ 09/ 2011: The Gardner Museum's new wing. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION :ARTS TOPIC :GARDNERMUSEUM REPORTER

The upper portion is clad in corrugated pre-patinated green copper.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA., 01/11/ 2012: The Living Room of the new wing at The Gardner Museum unveils its new building to the media. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :12gardner REPORTER

The Living Room is intended for relaxation and contemplation.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 12/ 09/ 2011: The central stairway at The Gardner Museum's new wing. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION :ARTS TOPIC :GARDNERMUSEUM REPORTER

The bold double-ramp central staircase.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 12/ 09/ 2011: : NOTE: DO NOT USE MAGAZINE ONLY The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum extension and preservation project under construction and finished site. The Museum is scheduled to open January 19th, 2012 ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION : MAGAZINE SLUG : gardnermuseum REPORTER staff

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA., 01/11/ 2012: The gallery in the new wing at The Gardner Museum unveils its new building to the media. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION: LIFESTYLE TOPIC :12gardner REPORTER

The temporary exhibition gallery has an adjustable ceiling to vary its height between 12 and 36 feet.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 12/ 14/ 2011:Tapestry room at The Gardner Museum's new wing. ( David L Ryan / Globe Staff Photo ) SECTION :ARTS TOPIC :GARDNERMUSEUM REPORTER

The Gardner Museum was able to restore the largest palace chamber, the Tapestry Room, which for decades housed concerts and lectures.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

BOSTON, MA. 11/ 09/ 2011: Ceiling view with Master acoustician Yashu Toyota

The skylight in the Calderwood Performance Hall.

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012

FOR Living. Boston, MA 1/12/2012 Soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa (cq), right, bows with pianist Vlad Iftinca (cq), after her encore performance in the Calderwood Hall at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum during the Special Opening Preview in Boston, MA on Thursday, January 12, 2012. (Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff) Section: Living Slug: 13hall Reporter: n/a LOID: 5.0.751077085

Soprano, Kiri Te Kanawa, right, bowed with pianist Vlad Iftinca, after her encore performance in the Calderwood Hall during the special opening preview on Jan. 12, 2012.

Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff | January 17, 2012