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= Bélanger Salach Architecture = Bélanger Salach Architecture (also known as BSA) is a bilingual, full-service architectural firm that is located in Sudbury, Ontario. 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, healthcare, educational, and toursim facilities. Their expertise extends beyond Sudbury, contributing to the design of various facilities across Ontario and even internationally. The firm is led by Louis Bélanger and Amber Salach, who are both senior partners of the firm. Bélanger Salach approaches architecture with a deep understanding of the local culture, harmonizing functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, while utilizing each site to its full potential. 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 WWII era in Sudbury Ontario, a partnership between Canadian architects S. Arthur Townend and John Stefura was created. This partnership, which would evolve to include many other members who would come and go would eventually facilitate the creation of Belanger Salach Architects as we know the firm today. Townend and Stefura would create their firm with the intention of responding architecturally to the unique Sudburian landscape, with its rocky topography, lack of trees and artistically arid architecture scene. Soon after Townend and Stefura united, They teamed up with Orest Baleshta to create Townend Stefura Baleshta Architects in 1964. This trio would go on to make a significant impact on Sudbury’s architectural landscape, especially within the downtown area throughout the late 1960’s and 1970’s. The first building the firm created would be the Laurentian Hospital in 1964. Some notable examples of Townend Stefura Baleshta Architects’ work include the Thornloe Chapel (1967) and Tom Davies Civic Square now known as Tom Davies Square (1973). As the 1980’s neared, Blaine Nicholls was added to the team of architects at the firm, making it Townend Stefura Baleshta and Nicholls Architects in 1979. Together, and in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects, Science North was designed and began construction in 1981 and finished in 1984. This would become one of the most important buildings in Sudbury that was unrelated to its mining activity, and give people from out of town to visit Sudbury. Townend and Stefura's partnership would finally come to an end in 1988 as Townend retired. Stefura’s retirement would come 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 would shift from being artistically motivated, to being more profit motivated. Nicholls Yallowega Bélanger would design many schools, including St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School, and École Secondaire Catholique du Sacre-Coeur in Sudbury. Upon the arrival of the 2010’s, the Yallowega Bélanger Architects designed more prolific buildings such as Dynamic Earth, the South End Public Library and the Northern Water Sports Centre among many other projects. After Rick Yallowega left the firm, Amber Salach joined Louis Bélanger in Bélanger Salach Architects which brings the firm’s timeline to the present day. The firm continues to design buildings to fit the architectural needs of Greater Sudbury and beyond, with their most recent prolific project, Place Des Art, Opening in April of 2022.

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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

From 1964 to 1979, Townend Steffura Beleshta Architects established a prominent architectural style revolving around the principles of brutalism. Characterized by using 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 and or institutional buildings. During this time the firm designed Pavilion Alphonse Raymond, Tom Davies Civic Square (now known as Tom Davies Square), and many others, falling under the appearance of modern and brutalist architecture reflecting similar thought processes as designs previously made by Le Corbusier. Following this period, the firm transitioned to Townend Stefura Baleshta Nicholls Architects from 1979 to 1993, embracing the principles of Modern Architecture. This shift marked a departure from Brutalism's heavy, fortress-like structures towards sleeker, more streamlined designs characterized by simplicity and functionality. 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 saw a fusion of contemporary design principles with the nostalgic aesthetic of the mid-20th century, resulting in structures that combined innovation with a sense of timelessness. From 2007 to now, the firm has operated under Bélanger Salach Architects, focusing on Sustainable Architecture. In response to growing environmental concerns, this period marks a significant commitment to designing buildings that minimize their ecological footprint and prioritize energy efficiency. Sustainable Architecture integrates renewable materials, passive design strategies, and innovative technologies to create buildings that harmonize with their surroundings and contribute positively to the environment. The firm has continually evolved throughout its various iterations to reflect changing architectural trends and societal values. From the robustness of Brutalism to the sustainability ethos of the present day, Townend Steffura Beleshta Architects and its subsequent incarnations have left a lasting imprint on the architectural landscape, shaping the built environment with innovation and vision.

*Sources will be added in later*

Significant Works
Laurentian Hospital

The Laurentian Hospital is the first project that Arthur Townend took on upon opening his firm in 1964. This project led him to develop a specialty designing health facilities as he continued to contribute to new developments to this hospita l throughout his entire career. When Townend retired in 1988, the last plans that he signed off on were for the Laurentian Hospital. 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 notable 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

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

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 1950’ s that was located nearby. The School serves a large a indigenous population and an underprivileged community. The structure for this school is primarily made up of glulam laminated timber.

Place des Arts

Place des Arts is one of BSA’s most recent projects which was completed in 2022. It was a joint venture with Moriyama & Teshima Architects who they formerly collaborated with for the design of Science North.

Notable Awards

 * 2023 Architecture Press Release Awards (Place des Arts in collaboration with Moriyama Teshima Architects)
 * Two 2023 16th edition of the Grands Prix du Design Awards (Place des Arts 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 (Place Des Arts Du Grand Sudbury)
 * 2017 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)