Raphael Pennekamp (1980 – 2008) was one of the most gifted students that we have had the privilege to teach. Sadly, he died in a car accident during a visit to see his family in Germany this past Easter. Raphael was one of those rare students that raised the entire operation in scope, inspiration, productivity, and fun. He loved architecture. It was really enjoyable to discuss it with him. I sometimes thought, with his 28 years that he can handle the big scale quite comfortably not least because it was always related with small things.
It was delightful to see him looking and designing. He found the spot quickly in Hadrian’s Villa where he wanted to work, and he found his way into Schinkel’s mind effortlessly. His sketches of the pavilion and of Klein Glienicke are very charming and delicate. If you have seen how he holds the pen when doing them, you will have noticed that they are done with an observation without distraction, direct seeing. This is good research. The mantle of the architect was all made for him.
This exhibition is a selection of some of the most delicate and charming sketches that Raphael Pennekamp made during the past few years. During his Diploma studies at London Met he was an annual scholarship holder of the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD.
Florian Beigel, October 2008
Raphael Pennekamp