As a founding corporate partner of the Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) since its inception in 2012, Pennoni has aided the development of site plans for the garden, submission of plans for public approval, and oversight of physical details of the site.
Pennoni, along with SEA Studio Architects, is excited to bring the Annette Pennoni Meadow Pavilion to life in memory of Celestino R. “Chuck” Pennoni’s late wife. The couple was married for nearly 60 years until her passing in July of 2019.
“This pavilion is a wonderful way to honor Annette’s memory. I am excited to see its completion in a place she loved. Pennoni is thrilled to be a part of something that brings so many people joy and happiness,” says Mr. Pennoni, PE, founder and chairman at Pennoni.
The Annette Pennoni Meadow Pavilion will be the feature architectural component in the landscape of the DBG. The pavilion will provide a large, covered and conditioned assembly space for the variety of events to be held at the DBG, including educational workshops, environmental art installations, presentations, fundraising dinners and more!
In addition, a 3,000 SF great hall with a soaring exposed glulam structure will give the DBG all the space they need to host weddings and other private events. The hall even spills out to a covered patio through enormous glass garage doors, both adding to the amount of occupiable event space and connecting the hall visually with the adjacent Meadow Garden. In the other wing of the building, divided off from the Great Hall by an open-air entry passage, the Pavilion will house a reception area for ticketing and merchandise, a café for visitors, a catering space for events and several flexible office space for DBG staff.
The Pavilion will be clad in western red cedar and speak some of the language of the existing architecture on-site, in a slightly different formal composition. The Pavilion will also incorporate many comparable stormwater management features to the restrooms, along with a large-scale photovoltaic array on the south facing roof, again, to further the environmental stewardship mission of the DBG.
The pavilion is scheduled to break ground in Spring of 2023.