The Winnipeg architecture community is marking the sudden passing of architect and advocate David Penner, FRAIC (1958-2020). Penner was born and raised in Winnipeg, where he was founder and principal of David Penner Architect.
David Penner. Photo: Amanda Chong
Penner studied at the University of Manitoba, where he received his Bachelor of Environmental Studies degree in 1979 and his Master of Architecture in 1985. He worked at firms including Smith Carter Partners and for architects including Les Stecheson before founding his own practice.
Penner?s work included Windsor Park Library and Fountain Springs Housing (both designed with h5 architecture), the Mere Hotel (with architect of record Arccadd), and Winnipeg?s Central Park Pavilion. He was part of the team that designed the Buhler Centre, working with Peter Sampson and DIN projects. The Windsor Park Library, designed by David Penner Architecture + h5 Architecture, is one of Penner’s most recently completed projects. Photo by Lindsay Reid
Penner was a founder of Storefront Manitoba, the organization behind the annual Winnipeg Design Festival, Cool Gardens summer installations, Benchmark competition, and Table for 1200 pop-up dining event. His work included installations such as the Little Red Library, originally created for the winter warming huts competition. The red cube was subsequently relocated across from Winnipeg?s Peanut Park to enjoy a new temporary life as the Little Red Art Gallery. The tiny venue hosed f...