Bélanger Salach Architecture

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The firms office located at 255 Larch Street, Sudbury, Ontario, P3B 1M2
Bélanger Salach Architecture office located at 255 Larch Street, Sudbury, Ontario, P3B 1M2

Bélanger Salach Architecture is a bilingual, full-service architectural firm that is located in Sudbury, Ontario.[1] The firm was founded in 1964 by Arthur Townend along with his partner John Stefura.[2] Since its founding, it has been involved in the design of numerous buildings within the landscape of Sudbury.[3]

The firm specializes in a diverse range of architectural projects, including recreational, healthcare, educational, and tourism facilities.[4] Their expertise extends beyond Sudbury, contributing to the design of various facilities across Ontario and even internationally.[4] The firm is led by Louis Bélanger and Amber Salach, who are senior partners of the firm.[5] The trajectory of the firm has been shaped by numerous collaborations with architectural firms throughout the years, contributing to a diverse portfolio and sustained growth.[4][6]

Over the years, Bélanger Salach has garnered numerous awards and recognition for their architectural works with the most recent being the 2023 Architecture Press Release Awards for Place de Arts.[7]

History

During the post World War II era in Sudbury, a partnership between Canadian architects S. Arthur Townend and John Stefura was created. This partnership, which evolved to include many other members who came and went, and eventually facilitated the creation of Bélanger Salach Architects as the firm is known today. Townend and Stefura created their firm with the intention of responding architecturally to the Sudbury's landscape, with its rocky topography, lack of trees and artistically arid architectural scene.[8] However, prior to Townend and Stefura starting their own firm, Townend teamed up with Louis Fabbro to create Townend Fabbro in 1964.[9] These two worked to obtain the contract for the first building to be designed by the firm, which became Laurentian Hospital in 1964.[10]

After which, Townend partnered with John Stefura  and Orest Baleshta in 1965 to create Townend Stefura Baleshta Architects.[11] This trio made a significant impact on Sudbury’s architectural landscape, especially within the downtown area throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Some notable examples of Townend Stefura Baleshta Architects’ work include the Thornloe Chapel (1967) and Tom Davies Civic Square (1973).[11] As the 1980s neared, Blaine Nicholls was added to the team of architects at the firm, making it Townend Stefura Baleshta and Nicholls Architects in 1979.[11] Together, and in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects, Science North was designed and began construction in 1981 and finished in 1984.[12] This became one of the most important buildings inSudbury that was unrelated to its mining activity, and give people from out of town a reason to visit Sudbury. Townend and Stefura's partnership finally came to an end in 1988 as Townend retired.[13]

Stefura's retirement came in 1993, leaving Nicholls to partner with Louis Bélanger and Rick Yallowega, transforming the firm into Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger Architects. During this era for the firm, the design focus shifted from being artistically motivated, to being more profit motivated. Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger designed many schools, including St. Benedicts Catholic School, and École Secondaire Catholique du Sacre-Coeur in Sudbury.[11]

Upon the arrival of the 2010s, Yallowega Bélanger Architects designed more prolific buildings such as Dynamic Earth, the South End Public Library and the Northern Water Sports Complex. After Rick Yallowega left the firm, Amber Salach joined Louis Bélanger in Bélanger Salach Architects which brought the firm’s timeline to the present. The firm continues to design buildings to fit the architectural needs of Greater Sudbury and beyond, with their most recent prolific project, Place Des Arts, Opening in April 2022.[14]

Design philosophy

1964–1979 | Townened Stefura Beleshta Architects | Design Philosophy: Brutalism

1979–1993 | Townend Stefura Baleshta Nicholls Architects | Design Philosophy: Modern Architecture

1993–2007 | Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger Architects | Design Philosophy: Modern & Mid-Century Modern Architecture

2007 – present | Bélanger Salach Architecture | Design Philosophy: Sustainable Architecture

Bélanger Salach Architecture has a diverse timeline of architectural styles associated with each partner era. From 1964 to 1979, The firm's founding partners, Arthur Townend, John Stefura and Orest Beleshta established an architectural style revolving around the principles of brutalism.[11] Characterized by raw concrete, geometric forms, negative and positive space, and little to no ornamental additives, Brutalism emerged as a bold architectural movement, often associated with governmental or institutional buildings.[15] During this time, the firm designed Pavilion Alphonse Raymond, Tom Davies Civic Square, and many others which contributed to Brutalist architecture.[16] The firm then transitioned to Townend Stefura Baleshta Nicholls Architects from 1979 to 1993, embracing the idea of Modern Architecture.[11] This shift led from Brutalism's heavy geometric structures towards "lighter" and more streamlined designs characterized by simplicity and functionality. Such buildings included Feilding Park Bird Sanctuary and Paroisse Ste-Anne-des-Pins.[11] The use of materials and form plays a crucial role in the appearance of modern architecture. Architects typically utilize glazing and window mullions, or curtain walls to achieve the look of a "lighter" building.

In 1993, the firm underwent another transformation, becoming Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger Architects, during which they embraced both Modern and mid-century modern architectural styles.[11] This era revolved around combining contemporary design frameworks with the nostalgic aesthetics of the mid-20th century.[17] Since 2007, the firm has operated as Bélanger Salach Architects, focusing on sustainable and Practical Architecture such as the newly constructed Place des Arts[14] located in Sudbury, Ontario.[18] The firm is constantly altering their styles based on leading principle architects and continues to carry out their services for Sudbury and its surrounding area.

Significant works

Laurentian Hospital

The Laurentian Hospital is the first project that Townend took on upon opening his firm in 1964.[19] This project led him to develop a specialty designing health facilities as he continued to contribute to new developments to this hospital throughout his career.[19] When Townend retired in 1988, the last plans that he signed off on were for the Laurentian Hospital.[19] Even today, health care is a recurring theme for the firm as they still do designs for additions and renovations for this very hospital.[19]

Tom Davies Square (1977)

Tom Davies Square

Tom Davies Square is another project that was designed by the firm. The design process began in 1963 with hopes of bringing more life to Sudbury's downtown core.[20] The facility was later built and completed in 1977.[20]

Science North

Science North (1984)

Science North is an important piece of Bélanger Salach's history as it has become one of Northern Ontario’s most popular tourist attractions.[21] The firm helped with the design which was led by Raymond Moriyama.[22] The concept began in the early 1980s.[22]

St. David's Catholic Elementary School

St. David’s Catholic Elementary School was designed in 2016 by the firm in order to replace a school from the 1950s that was located nearby.[23] The school serves a large a indigenous population and an underprivileged community.[23] The structure for this school is primarily made up of glulam laminated timber.[18]

Place des Arts, Sudbury (2022)

Place des Arts

Place des Arts is one of Bélanger Salach Architecture's most recent projects which was completed in 2022.[14] It was a joint venture with Moriyama & Teshima Architects.[14] who they formerly collaborated with for the design of Science North.[22]

Notable awards

References

  1. ^ "About". Bélanger Salach Architecture. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 77–78. ISBN 9780612612969.
  3. ^ "Architect leaves legacy in Sudbury". Sudbury.com. March 20, 2006. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Laurentian University Student Centre, a Comfortable Place to Both be Productive and to Socialize". The Plan. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  5. ^ "Our Team". Bélanger Salach Architecture. Retrieved February 23, 2024.
  6. ^ "Place des Arts Architects also Designed other Iconic Northern Ontario Buildings". Sudbury.com. November 15, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Place des Arts Wins APR Urban Design & Architecture Award". Colliers Project Leaders. March 23, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. p. 89. ISBN 9780612612969.
  9. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 75–78. ISBN 9780612612969.
  10. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 81–83. ISBN 9780612612969.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "55+ Years of History". Bélanger Salach Architecture. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. p. 107. ISBN 9780612612969.
  13. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. p. 116. ISBN 9780612612969.
  14. ^ a b c d Galvin, Terrance (November 1, 2022). "Under One Roof: Place des Arts, Greater Sudbury, Ontario". Canadian Architect. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 42–53. ISBN 9780612612969.
  16. ^ "Architectural Tour of Works by Arthur Townend". Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). June 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2024.
  17. ^ Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 82–86. ISBN 9780612612969.
  18. ^ a b Williams, Patricia (November 2, 2017). "Leaders in Wood Innovation Honoured at Awards". Daily Commercial News. 90: 1–3 – via CMD Group.
  19. ^ a b c d Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 81–83. ISBN 9780612612969.
  20. ^ a b Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. pp. 100–106. ISBN 9780612612969.
  21. ^ "Science North". Discover Sudbury. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  22. ^ a b c Ramsay Best, Janna (2002). The Architectural Imagination of S. Arthur Townend. Ottawa: National Library of Canada. p. 14. ISBN 9780612612969.
  23. ^ a b Ulrichsen, Heidi (October 14, 2016). "'I Think it's Beautiful': New $10.5M St. David School Opens". Sudbury.com. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  24. ^ "Place des Arts Receives International Acclaim for its Architecture". Sudbury.com. October 8, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  25. ^ "Northern Buildings Lauded for Use of Wood". Sudbury.com. February 25, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  26. ^ "Business Awards to be Given in Sudbury Today". The Sudbury Star. May 23, 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  27. ^ Yallowega Bélanger Salach Architecture (December 7, 2018). "Laurentian University Student Centre". Sudbury Design Society. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "Place des Arts du Grand Sudbury". Sudbury Design Society. December 7, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  29. ^ "Ontario's Wood WORKS! Awards Announce 2017 Winners". Canadian Architect. November 8, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  30. ^ "Sudbury Chapel Receives Recognition". The Sudbury Star. April 23, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
  31. ^ Salach, Amber (August 1, 2016). "Northern Water Sports Centre". Sudbury Design Society. Retrieved February 24, 2024.
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