Bélanger Salach Architecture is a bilingual, full-service

architectural Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...

firm that is located in

Sudbury, Ontario Sudbury, officially the City of Greater Sudbury, is the largest city in Northern Ontario by population, with a population of 166,004 at the 2021 Canadian Census. By land area, it is the largest in Ontario and the List of the largest cities and t ...

. The firm was founded in 1964 by Arthur Townend along with his partner John Stefura. Since its founding, it has been involved in the design of numerous buildings within the landscape of Sudbury. The firm specializes in a diverse range of architectural projects, including

recreational Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or plea ...

healthcare Health care, or healthcare, is the improvement or maintenance of health via the preventive healthcare, prevention, diagnosis, therapy, treatment, wikt:amelioration, amelioration or cure of disease, illness, injury, and other disability, physic ...

educational Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills and the development of character traits. Formal education occurs within a structured institutional framework, such as public schools, following a curriculum. Non-formal education also fol ...

, and

tourism Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the Commerce, commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. World Tourism Organization, UN Tourism defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as ...

facilities. Their expertise extends beyond Sudbury, contributing to the design of various facilities across

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

and even internationally. The firm is led by Louis Bélanger and Amber Salach, who are senior partners of the firm. 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. 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.

History

During the post

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

era in Sudbury, a partnership between

Canadian Canadians () are people identified with the country of Canada. This connection may be residential, legal, historical or cultural. For most Canadians, many (or all) of these connections exist and are collectively the source of their being ''C ...

architects An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...

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. Prior to Townend and Stefura starting their own firm, Townend was in a partnership with Louis Fabbro at the firm called Fabbro & Townend from 1955 to 1964. After which, John Baleshta joined the firm in 1965 to create Townend Stefura Baleshta Architects. 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). As the 1980s neared, Blaine Nicholls became a managing partner at the firm, when the firm was renamed Townend Stefura Baleshta and Nicholls Architects in 1979. Together, and in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects,

Science North Science North is an interactive science museum in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.Helga Loverseed, "Impressive science museum symbolizes the new Sudbury". ''The Globe and Mail'', May 9, 1987. The science centre, which is Northern Ontario's most popula ...

was designed and began construction in 1981 and finished in 1984. This became one of the most important buildings in Sudbury that was unrelated to its

mining Mining is the Resource extraction, extraction of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the Earth. Mining is required to obtain most materials that cannot be grown through agriculture, agricultural processes, or feasib ...

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 Arthur Townend retired. 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. Upon the arrival of the 2010s, Yallowega Bélanger Architects designed more prolific buildings such as

Dynamic Earth Dynamic Earth may refer to: * Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh), a not-for-profit visitor attraction and science centre in Edinburgh, Scotland * Dynamic Earth (Ontario) Dynamic Earth is an interactive earth sciences science museum, museum in Greater Sudb ...

, 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 frame, View of the Place des Arts esplanade. The Musée d'art contemporain is on the left; behind it is the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, with the Théâtre Maisonneuve on the right. Place des Arts () is a major performing arts centre in Montreal, Q ...

, Opening in April 2022.

Design philosophy

1964–1979 , Townned Stefura Beleshta Architects , Design Philosophy:

Brutalism Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the b ...

1979–1993 , Townend Stefura Baleshta Nicholls Architects , Design Philosophy:

Modern Architecture Modern architecture, also called modernist architecture, or the modern movement, is an architectural movement and style that was prominent in the 20th century, between the earlier Art Deco and later postmodern movements. Modern architectur ...

1993–2007 , Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger Architects , Design Philosophy:

Modern Modern may refer to: History *Modern history ** Early Modern period ** Late Modern period *** 18th century *** 19th century *** 20th century ** Contemporary history * Moderns, a faction of Freemasonry that existed in the 18th century Philosophy ...

Mid-Century Modern Mid-century modern (MCM) is a movement in interior design, product design, graphic design, architecture and urban development that was present in all the world, but more popular in North America, Brazil and Europe from roughly 1945 to 197 ...

Architecture 2007 – present , Bélanger Salach Architecture , Design Philosophy:

Sustainable Architecture Sustainable architecture is architecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings through improved efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, development space and the ecosystem at large. Sometimes, su ...

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 Brutalist architecture is an architectural style that emerged during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, among the reconstruction projects of the post-war era. Brutalist buildings are characterised by minimalist constructions that showcase the b ...

. 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. During this time, the firm designed Pavilion Alphonse Raymond, Tom Davies Civic Square, and many others which contributed to Brutalist architecture. The firm then transitioned to Townend Stefura Baleshta Nicholls Architects from 1979 to 1993, embracing the idea of

. 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 Paroisse Ste-Anne-des-Pins is a Roman Catholic Church that emerged in downtown Sudbury, Ontario, Canada in 1883. The epoch-making edifice held high communal value and admiration from the time of its erection, as it was home to the city’s very fi ...

. 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. This era revolved around combining contemporary design frameworks with the nostalgic

aesthetics Aesthetics (also spelled esthetics) is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of beauty and taste (sociology), taste, which in a broad sense incorporates the philosophy of art.Slater, B. H.Aesthetics ''Internet Encyclopedia of Ph ...

of the mid-20th century. Since 2007, the firm has operated as Bélanger Salach Architects, focusing on

sustainable Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time. Definitions of this term are disputed and have varied with literature, context, and time. Sustainability usually has three dimensions (or pillars): env ...

and Practical Architecture such as the newly constructed

Place des Arts frame, View of the Place des Arts esplanade. The Musée d'art contemporain is on the left; behind it is the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, with the Théâtre Maisonneuve on the right. Place des Arts () is a major performing arts centre in Montreal, Q ...

located in Sudbury, Ontario. 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

After leaving Fabbro & Townend in 1964, Arthur Townend obtained the contract for the Laurentian Hospital which brought him to partner with John Stefura and creating the firm Townend & Stefura. This project only added to the experience of Townend in his specialty designing of health facilities since he worked on numerous health facilities projects between 1948 and 1964, including the

St. Joseph's Health Centre St. Joseph's Health Centre is a large teaching hospital in western Toronto, Ontario. It is located west of downtown Toronto, along the Lake Ontario shore at the intersection of The Queensway and Sunnyside Avenue, just west of Roncesvalles Avenu ...

. The firm continued to contribute to new developments of the Laurentian hospital throughout the years, including the addition of the Cancer Centre in 1991, which were the last drawings Townend signed off in 1988 when he retired. Even today, health care is a recurring theme for the firm as they still do designs for additions and renovations for this very hospital.

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. The facility was later built and completed in 1977.

Science North

is an important piece of Bélanger Salach's history as it has become one of Northern Ontario’s most popular

tourist attractions A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement. Types Places of natural beau ...

. The firm helped with the design which was led by

Raymond Moriyama Raymond Junichi Moriyama (October 11, 1929 – September 1, 2023) was a Canadian architect. The private practice in Toronto he co-founded with Ted Teshima, Moriyama & Teshima Architects, was renowned for designing many major buildings across ...

. The concept began in the early 1980s.

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. The school serves a large a

indigenous Indigenous may refer to: *Indigenous peoples *Indigenous (ecology) In biogeography, a native species is indigenous to a given region or ecosystem if its presence in that region is the result of only local natural evolution (though often populari ...

population and an underprivileged community. The structure for this school is primarily made up of glulam laminated timber.

Place des Arts

is one of Bélanger Salach Architecture's most recent projects which was completed in 2022. It was a joint venture with

Moriyama & Teshima Architects Raymond Junichi Moriyama (October 11, 1929 – September 1, 2023) was a Canadian architect. The private practice in Toronto he co-founded with Ted Teshima, Moriyama & Teshima Architects, was renowned for designing many major buildings across ...

. who they formerly collaborated with for the design of

Notable awards

* 2023 – Architecture Press Release Awards (

in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects) * Two 2023 16th edition of the Grands Prix du Design Awards (

in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects) * 2021 – Wood Works Northern Ontario Excellence Award (Laurentian University Student Centre in collaboration with Gow Hastings Architects) * 2019 – Company of the Year recipient of the Bell Business Excellence Award * 2018 – Sudbury Design Award ( Laurentian University Student Centre in collaboration with Gow Hastings Architects) * 2018 – Sudbury Design Award (

Du Grand Sudbury) * 2017 – Ontario Woodworks Institutional Wood Design Award, Ontario Wood Works Institutional Wood Design Award under $10M (St. David Catholic Elementary School) * 2017 – OAA Landmark Award ( Fielding Memorial Chapel of St. Mark) * 2016 – Sudbury Design Award (Northern Water Sports Centre){{Cite web , last=Salach , first=Amber , date=August 1, 2016 , title=Northern Water Sports Centre , url=https://www.sudburydesignsociety.com/northernwatersportscentre , access-date=February 24, 2024 , website=Sudbury Design Society

References

Wikipedia Student Program Architecture firms of Canada Companies based in Greater Sudbury Canadian companies established in 1964