Description of Historic Place

Located in downtown Sudbury, the Government of Canada Building is a sleek, modern design with rectangular, horizontal massing. The flat roofed building incorporates minimal detailing and uses smooth, flat, polished materials. The structural grid is clad in red granite with inset blue spandrel panels and green tinted glazing. The window surrounds and the main entrance doors are of polished steel. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Government of Canada Building is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental values.

Historical Value
The Government of Canada Building is associated with the development of a national postal service and its expanding growth during the 1950s. The construction of the building represents an extension of the federal presence into Ontario and the provision of government services into regional administrative centres.

Architectural Value
Valued for its good aesthetics, the Government of Canada Building is a good example of modern design that exhibits International style characteristics. The horizontal massing and elevations are composed of simple, geometrical forms based on a structural grid module. Subtle textural contrasts juxtaposed with lively colours emphasize the differing functional purposes of the materials. The repetitive rhythm of the green tinted windows and blue spandrel panels is an important visual component of the design. Good use of craftsmanship and materials is evidenced in the exterior wall of this functional building.

Environmental Value
The Government of Canada Building reinforces the commercial character of its business district setting where it is a prominent landmark.

Sources: Government of Canada Building, 166 Frederick Street, Sudbury, Ontario, Heritage Buildings Review Office Report 96-072; Government of Canada Building (GOCB), 166 Frederick Street, Sudbury, Ontario, Heritage Character Statement 96-072.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Government of Canada Building should be respected.

Its modern design and very good quality materials and craftsmanship, for example: the three-storey, flat roofed, rectangular massing consisting of interlocking, geometric forms; the grid module construction of the curtain wall with a variety of infill materials and windows (spandrel panels or fixed, obscure glazing); the flat, polished materials that include black spandrel panels, the smooth red granite facing of the structural grid, the inset curtain wall of blue spandrel panels and the green tinted glazing; the generously scaled, polished steel sash windows incorporated into the curtain wall, and the polished steel entrance doors with their panelling, glazing, and hardware; the interior configuration, circulation system, the postal counters and lockbox area; the interior materials and finishes including the terrazzo flooring and metal handrails.

The manner in which the Government of Canada Building reinforces the commercial character of its business district setting in Sudbury, and is a prominent city landmark, as evidenced by: its scale, and materials that complement the other downtown buildings; its visibility and familiarity given its prominent location and ongoing use as a post office which makes it a well-known building in the community.

Heritage Character Statement

Disclaimer - The heritage character statement was developed by FHBRO to explain the reasons for the designation of a federal heritage building and what it is about the building that makes it significant (the heritage character). It is a key reference document for anyone involved in planning interventions to federal heritage buildings and is used by FHBRO in their review of interventions.

The Sudbury GOCB was constructed in 1957. It was designed by the Chief Architect's Branch, Department of Public Works. The federal building included offices and a post office which have been maintained. Public Works and Government Services Canada is the custodian. See FHBRO Building Report 96-072.

Reasons For Designation

The Sudbury GOCB was designated Recognized because of its environmental significance and architectural importance, and also for its historical associations.

The low-scaled building occupies most of the site and the rest is paved which is similar to when constructed. The high standards of the design and construction of the Sudbury GOCB contribute to its imposing presence, which is compatible with the commercial buildings of the central area in the city. The post office and government services within the building have contributed to its local familiarity and community landmark status.

This modern building which has been influenced by the International style has a striking presence because of the use of smooth, sleek materials and geometrical order in the design of the elevations. The curtainwall has a grid module with a variety of infill materials and windows (spandrel panels or fixed, obscure glazing), which contribute to the modern appearance of the elevations.

The building is associated with the development of a national postal service and its expanding growth during the 1950s. The construction of the building represents an extension of the federal presence into Ontario and the provision of government services into regional administrative centres.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the Sudbury GOCB resides in the horizontal massing and proportions, modern construction materials and architectural details, sleek interiors, and site relationships.

The simple flat-roofed massing of the rectangular structure exhibits modern design characteristics. The horizontal massing has elevations which are compositions of simple, geometrical forms. The well-scaled facades have a rectangular gridded curtainwall set into a grid structural module which contributes to the modern sleek appearance.

The facade materials and finishes are also defining features. These are smooth, flat, polished materials, which are simple geometrical forms with minimal detailing. The red granite clad structural grid set on a black granite plinth has an inset polished metal curtainwall of blue spandrel panels and green-tinted glazing. The design stresses subtle textural contrasts and lively colour contrasts to emphasize the differing functional purposes of the materials. The masonry would benefit from conservation expertise for repairs and an ongoing maintenance program. The painted metal coping flashing may not follow original design intentions when it requires replacement the new material and finishes of the coping should follow historical precedent.

The generously-scaled polished steel sash windows incorporated into the curtain wall appear to be original. The repetitive rhythm of the windows and spandrel panels is an important visual component of the design. The polished steel entrance doors with their panelling, glazing, and hardware appear to be original and should be maintained.

The principal access points to the building should be retained, as should the internal circulation system. The postal counters and lockbox area in particular are noteworthy features of the building. Interior materials and finishes reflecting the original construction such as the terrazzo flooring, and metal handrails should be preserved and maintained.

The street frontage with sidewalks and pavement is characteristic of the urban site and should be maintained.

97.06.30 (DRAFT)