David Penner

David Paul Penner (August 9, 1958 – January 7, 2020) was a Canadian architect from Osborne Village in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He attended the University of Manitoba where he received his Bachelor of Environment Studies in 1979 and Masters of Architecture in 1985.

Design philosophy David Penner was an architect with a strong dedication to improving the city through architecture and physical landscapes. He demonstrated his volunteerism though involvement in various initiatives to engage the public through design and architecture. Penner also worked towards rehabilitating Manitoba's major heritage landmarks, such as the Royal Manitoba Theatre Center, Carlton Building, Winnipeg Adult Education Centre, and St. John's Telephone Exchange. Penner believed that architecture is the core element that "embodies the DNA of a city and its citizens."

Penner experimented with various architectural styles throughout his career, ranging from postmodernism which can be found in his own residence built in 1993 to contemporary architecture. He started as an advocate for historical revivalism, learning from the books of Robert Venturi and Charles Moore which increased his passion for striking decoration and public interest. Penner also traveled around United States for a year to examine the works by Michael Graves, Venturi and other post-modern architects. His earlier works like Penner Residence (1993) and Wolfrom Structural Engineering Offices (1995) demonstrate his passion for post-modernist architecture. Penner's preference for bold yet simple elements

Career Before starting his own firm, David Penner developed his skills as an architect working at several Winnipeg firms. After finishing his graduate studies, he started his career in the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Engineering and Architecture Division for the Government of Canada from 1979 to 1980. He also worked with Smith Carter Partners, now known as Architecture 49 (1981–1982), James and Rollier (1983–1984), Calnitsky Henshka Associates (1985), and Stechesen Katz Architects (1986–1993).

Penner started his own practice, David Penner Architect (DPA), in 1993. At the time, Winnipeg was undergoing a large financial challenge due to frozen real estate prices and the Winnipeg Jets leaving the city. Therefore, Penner had to learn ways to design affordable architecture, which drove his works to be unconventional and creative with low construction costs. most of the firm's works were located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. DPA was a small firm, employing only few people at a time for maximized involvement in the projects. The office was initially located inside the stainless-steel pyramid in the backyard of Penner's house, which he designed himself. Penner's firm collaborated with several architectural firms and other architects, including h5 Architecture, Peter Sampson, Neil Minuk and DIN Projects. DPA specialized in cultural, commercial, institutional and residential work, working with individual clients as well as corporations. The firm designed several cottages and installations, as well as renovations and proposals for urban planning. He wanted the public to engage with architecture so as to understand the influence of design over development. The project aims to "gain a deeper understanding of the catalysts that have built a strong commitment to architecture," according to 5468796 Architecture Inc. Penner was also the co-curator for Cool Gardens from 2013 to 2019. Storefront Manitoba is the publisher of books documenting regional work, including the MB ARCH book series, Re/Imagining Winnipeg, and River City 2050. David Penner edited Cool Gardens: A Collection of Temporary Installations, published by Storefront MB, which features the installations created in the first five years (2013–2019) of the competition. He also contributed to Re/imagining Winnipeg, where he proposed an idea to redesign downtown Winnipeg's street parking, as well as River City 2050 with his solutions to future urban design around level-controlled rivers.

Manitoba Association of Architects David Penner was a member of the Manitoba Association of Architects (MAA), in which he served 10 years on the Council. Penner was a part of the Public Affairs Committee, in which he served three terms on the Executive Committee as Second Vice President and Treasurer during his tenure. In 2004, he co-founded the City of Winnipeg's Urban Design Advisory Committee. He also mentored many students as a guest critic and as a professor for the Faculty of Architecture in University of Manitoba, one of them being Sasa Radulovic of 5468796 Architects.

Notable projects

Penner Residence (1993) The Penner Residence best showcases Penner's appreciation for post-modernist architecture. Located on 120 Yale Avenue, Winnipeg, Penner designed it to be his personal residence. It adapted the Shingle-Style that was found in Winnipeg's neighbourhood at the time, creating a complex ensemble of prairie building inspired forms such as silos, barns, and greenhouses. The most notable feature of the project is the dramatic 500 square foot stainless steel-clad pyramid shaped studio derived from the primitive huts and tipis of Indigenous vernacular architecture. Penner Residence demonstrated his passion for processing ideas from the past, paying homage to forms and styles that are often forgotten. It also participates in the Little Free Library movement. It won the Premier's Award of Excellence in 2015 and the Prairie Design Award in 2016, praised for its immersiveness and versatility as a warming hut, free library, art gallery and a public landmark. The installation is a steel-framed cube wrapped with a translucent red welding curtain that is thermally stretched to enclose the structures. Penner designed the library to be fully accessible and barrier-free by locating all programs in a single storey building. The library meets LEED silver requirements, with hollow-core slabs, outer wall integrated heating systems, automated HVAC and lighting, and daylight responsive blinds.

Other notable projects Buhler Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2010 Mere Hotel, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2014 Fountain Springs Housing, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2016

Awards and honours Over the course of his career, David Penner received several awards for his projects within the city of Winnipeg. In 2012, he was bestowed Fellowship in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) for his valuable contributions to the community and the profession of architecture. He posthumously received a Distinguished Service Award from Heritage Winnipeg in February 2020. 2018 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Fountain Springs Housing 2018 – Manitoba Masonry Judge's Choice Award of Excellence, Windsor Park Library 2016 – Prairie Design Award – Little Red Library 2016 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Mere Hotel 2015 – Premier's Award of Excellence, Little Red Library 2013 – Grand Prize Winner, CommerceDesignWinnipeg, Stella's @ Plug In 2010 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Corogami Hut 2008 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Penner Cottage 2006 – Masonry Design Award of Excellence, Winnipeg Adult Education Centre 2005 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Manitoba Electrical Museum 2004 – Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award for Excellence, Manitoba Theatre Centre 2004 – Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award for Excellence, Carlton Building 2002 – Western Living "Fits All" Category Winner, Taylor Residence 2001 – Manitoba Wood Design Award, Tritt Residence 2001 – Manitoba Wood Design Award of Merit, 120 Yale Avenue (Penner Residence/Studio) 2000 – Prairie Design Award of Excellence, Wolfrom Engineering Offices 2000 – MMCA Masonry Design Award of Excellence, Bomber Store 1996 – Heritage Winnipeg Preservation Award for Excellence, St. Johns Telephone Exchange Conversion 1994 – Western Living! Search for Style Grand Prize, 120 Yale Avenue

Publications and exhibitions 2004 – Living Spaces: 21 Contemoirary Canadian Homes, exhibition first hosted at Cambridge Galleries curated by John Ota, Christine Macy, Marco Polo and David Theodore featuring 21 Canadian homes. 2016 – Re/Imagining Winnipeg 2nd Edition, edited by Lauwrence Bird and Sharon Wohl 2017 – Cool Gardens: A Collection of Temporary Installations 2018 – River City 2050, edited by Eduard Epp