Born at Edmonton, Alberta on 17 April 1937, son of John Davenall Turner, he completed a Bachelor of Architecture degree at the University of Manitoba (1960). Following graduation, he received a travelling scholarship from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada to research post-war, low-cost housing in Europe. He worked for the firm of Green Blankstein Russell then, in early 1967, established an architectural practice and contributed to the design of several noteworthy buildings. He served as President of the Manitoba Association of Architects (1981).
On 19 December 1959, he married Mary Dianne Keith (?-2020) at St. Andrew’s River Heights United Church and they had two sons: Keith Davenall Turner (c1960-2019) and John Alexander Turner. He enjoyed watercolour painting, opera, skiing, board sailing, and racquet sports. He died of cancer at Winnipeg on 13 July 1990.
Some of his architectural works in Manitoba included:
Building
Location
Year
Status
555 Main Street, Winnipeg
1966-1968
Duff Roblin Building
190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg
1970
251 Donald Street, Winnipeg
1975-1977
Pembina Trail Library
2724 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg
?
Manitoba Children's Museum (addition)
45 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg
?
“Engagements,” Winnipeg Free Press, 24 November 1959, page 14.
“Turner - Keith,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 December 1959, page 13.
Advertisement, Winnipeg Free Press, 4 February 1967, page 53.
“Architect hopes built on projects in the wind,” Winnipeg Free Press, 30 January 1981, page 13.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 15 July 1990, page 26.
Obituary [Keith Davenall Turner], Winnipeg Free Press, 12 February 2019.
Obituary [Mary Dianne Turner], Winnipeg Free Press, 28 November 2020.
John Robert Davenall Turner, Winnipeg Architecture Foundation.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 25 February 2024
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