Stephen H. Kanner FAIA (1955-2010)

The Architecture and Design Museum, Los Angeles and Kanner Architects (see their projects here) present a retrospective and official public memorial service for Stephen Kanner, FAIA, on November 4, 2010, from 7-10 pm. The show continues until Jan 16, 2011.

With his passing on July 2, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, the Los Angeles architectural and design community loses one of its most prominent advocates. A thirdgeneration architect and principal of Kanner Architects, Stephen was a native Angelino known for his reinterpretation of Southern Californian modernism and for his unique imprint on LA’s urban landscape.

His contributions to the Los Angeles built environment reach from Santa Monica to East Los Angeles, as his firm completed more than 150 projects throughout the city. In addition, Kanner earned national and international stature with residential projects across the US and, most notably, PUMA retail stores worldwide.

Full press release after the break.

Stephen Kanner made buildings that are great from the car – the curve of the United Oil Gasoline Station on La Brea or the punchy arrow-pierced roof of the In-N-Out Burger in Westwood near UCLA – as befits an LA architect.

United Oil Gasoline Station

Kanner Architects made buildings that are great for the spirit, from the interiors of the Performance Capture Studio in Novato, CA (in collaboration with Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects) to the quiet stunner and multi-award winner that is the 26th St. Affordable Housing in Santa Monica, where smart design made up for a miniscule budget.

Kanner made buildings that are great commercial successes that also please users, like the string of Puma stores that span the globe, or the redesigned Sunset Vine Tower in Hollywood where ads anchor and identify the building, bringing an additional income stream that allowed detailing otherwise unaffordable.

Metro Hollywood Transit Village

Stephen Kanner’s passion for architecture extended beyond his practice. In 2005, Kanner served as president of AIA Los Angeles as well as serving six years on the Westwood Design Review Board. One of Stephen’s proudest community accomplishments was co-founding the Architecture and Design Museum > Los Angeles. He envisioned a museum dedicated to progressive architecture and design, celebrating not only the design breakthroughs of the city but also the accomplishments of the national and international design scene.

Malibu 3

Today, A+D is committed more than ever to the continuation of Kanner’s vision. As A+D Museum Director, Tibbie Dunbar states, “It is to the credit of Stephen Kanner that the museum has the structure to continue and thrive.” The A+D Board of Directors is devoted to carry on the mission of the Museum to promote progressive architecture and design through exhibits, outreach and education. A renewed support from the international community ensures the future of A+D through the establishment of the Stephen Kanner Memorial Fund.

As friend, Richard Meier noted, “Steve’s work, like Steve, had originality and a freespirited quality that reflected the openness and diversity of Los Angeles.” Please join us in celebrating the life and career of one of L.A.’s most iconic, contemporary architects, Stephen Kanner, November 4, 2010, 7 -10 pm.