Dave Penner is a B.C. boy through and through who loves to play and work in the Kootenays. Penner and his wife, Doris, own Quiniscoe Homes Ltd., a custom design residential building company that originated in 1982. In the late 90s, the Penners moved to Invermere to build custom homes in the Windermere Valley.

Quiniscoe is currently working on four homes—all located on Lake Windermere. Penner said that all of the homes built by Quiniscoe Homes are livable, sustainable and responsible. With environmentally friendly practices in mind, Quiniscoe uses insulated concrete forms to lay the foundation, which saves energy and uses recycled material as well as installing heat recovery ventilators. Penner said the company also strives to integrate each home into its natural surroundings.

In October 2010, Quiniscoe Homes was named a finalist in eight categories for the upcoming Georgie Awards. These awards recognize the best in the industry in the areas of residential home construction, design and development. Quiniscoe Homes was the only builder from the Windermere Valley to place in the building and design categories and Penner is thrilled.

“It feels great,” he said.