From the beginning, the founders of the Kimbell Art Museum envisioned a conservation program to “preserve for future generations what has been entrusted to its care.” The pre-architectural plan called for a conservation studio with an “open studio work area” with the caveat: “must face north, with entire wall glazed; it is impossible to get enough light in this room!” In fulfilling this mandate, the Kimbell became the first museum in Texas to create a purpose-built, professional paintings conservation studio. With a double-height vault, it is an ideal environment in which to examine, clean, and restore works of art and has served as a model for many museum conservation laboratories. Adjacent to photography, storage, and the registrar’s office and within easy access of the curators’ and director’s offices, the conservation studio is thoroughly embedded within the total Museum program, thanks to the vision of the Kimbell’s first director, Ric Brown.