Architect Antoine Predock’s legacy remembered around Winnipeg after his passing

Internationally renowned architect Antoine Predock has passed away at the age of 87, but his work will live on forever, with iconic structures scattered around the world, including right here in the heart of Winnipeg, as his vision brought the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to life.

Predock’s death marks the end of an illustrious five-decade-long career. Leaving his mark on the architectural landscape with his visionary approach to the Canadian Human Rights Museum, describing it as “carved into the earth and dissolving into the sky.”

Museum Director of Public Affairs Louise Waldman reacted to Predock’s passing saying it has been a tough loss for everyone.

“We were just this morning sharing some of the crazy and wonderful memories and experiences we had with Antoine, we feel so privileged and grateful to have him in our lives,” said Waldman.

“He lived an incredible life, his impact on this city and this skyline has been transformational.”

Waldman says Predock was extremely proud of his work, especially when it made it on the $10 bill.

“That to him was the pinnacle, he felt so honoured that his building was featured on currency that went on to win currency awards and I feel like we have done him proud and will continue to do him proud,” said Waldman.

Communications and marketing manager for the Forks North Portage Partnership North Zach Peters says without Predock’s vision, the area just wouldn’t be the same, saying it really is the postcard imagery of Winnipeg and a driving force for tourism in the area.

“We see a great amount of traffic come to visit the CMHR and then the Forks Market and walk the grounds here, it certainly is one of the stables here at the Forks,” said Peters.

Predock’s impact reaches farther than just the CMHR.  While designing the museum he also took part in the annual Warming Hut competition back in 2010 as the first invited artist, which Peters says is the reason it’s been so successful over the years

“It really was what kickstarted that competition, it kickstarted how internationally known and renowned that competition has become because Antoine Predock’s name was attached to it,” said Peters.

As for Predock’s legacy, Waldman says it will stand the test of time.

“I mean it’s won 14 international and national awards for the design and construction of the building it’s in very great shape it’s going to be here for generations to come which is a testament to Antoine and his vision,” said Waldman.