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The Chapleau Post Office

A Federal Heritage Building

The Major Components of the Building

The colour coding illustrates the major functional components of the building. Vertical components connecting floors are coloured red. Utility components are coloured blue and the open public, working and living spaces are coloured yellow.

You can look at these coloured functional areas on the first and second floor plans and then see how these plan conditions are reflected in the elevations (side views) of the building. Each of these components is handled differently.

The red vertical elements reflect the vertical function through the use of tall windows of both clear glass and glass block.

The yellow public, working and living areas are heavily glazed to introduce as much natural light as possible to living and working activity.

All of these components are skillfully combined in a beautifully proportioned three-dimensional composition. The architectural challenge has always been how to combine dissimilar components in a singular building idea and to create a unified three-dimensional composition. This is where the skill factor comes in and elevates the quality of the Chapleau building significantly above similar federal buildings built at the same time in Geraldton and Little Current.

ÉNONCÉ DE VALEUR PATRIMONIALE

L’édifice fédéral du 4, rue Birch, à Chapleau, en Ontario, a été construit en 1949-1950 selon les plans établis par des architectes du ministère des Travaux publics. Il est la propriété de Travaux publics Canada. Consulter le Rapport 89-152 du BEEFP.

Raisons de la désignation

L’édifice fédéral de Chapleau a été désigné édifice reconnu en raison de l’intérêt qu’il présente sur le plan architectural et de l’importance qu’il a dans son milieu.

Il constitue un exemple précoce et particulièrement réussi d’une architecture inspirée du style international utilisée par le ministère des Travaux publics dans la construction de nombreux petits édifices fédéraux partout au pays après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale. Le style international était fondé sur une philosophie préconisant qu’on laisse voir franchement la structure, la fonction et les matériaux et qu’on rejette toute ornementation superflue. L’immeuble est un pôle d’activité local et un point de repère dans la ville en raison du fait qu’il est situé bien en évidence à l’intersection des deux principales artères commerçantes. Il compte également parmi les rares édifices anciens de Chapleau à être encore debout.

Éléments caractéristiques

La valeur patrimoniale de l’édifice fédéral procède de son architecture extérieure, de la destination particulière de ses composantes formelles, du choix de son emplacement et de sa qualité de point de repère.

En conformité avec les principes du style international, la forme extérieure de l’immeuble est une expression des espaces intérieurs; le volume qui offre un élan vertical prononcé renferme un escalier et l’entrée principale, le volume linéaire éclairé par des fenêtres en bandeau qui jouxte la « tour » de l’escalier, les espaces publics, et l’étage en retrait, d’autres bureaux et le logement du concierge. L’effet de contraste créé par la juxtaposition d’éléments verticaux et horizontaux doit demeurer, tout comme l’équilibre de la composition des volumes fonctionnels. Les matériaux — parement de brique, ornements de pierre, portes et fenêtres en aluminium —, qui traduisent l’intention des concepteurs de laisser voir franchement les matériaux et la structure, vont devoir être conservés.

Sur le plan matériel, l’édifice fédéral constitue un point de repère et figure au nombre des édifices les plus importants de l’agglomération. Parce qu’il est un pôle d’activité local et un centre de communication tant pour la population de l’endroit que pour les personnes de l’extérieur, il importe que l’immeuble conserve sa fonction de bureau de poste et continue d’accueillir d’autres importants services fédéraux; il faut aussi continuer d’encourager l’emploi de l’immeuble comme lieu de rassemblement en veillant à conserver les bancs publics installés à l’intérieur comme à l’extérieur.

Heritage Character Statement

Reasons for Designation

The Chapleau Federal Building was designated a recognized heritage building for its architectural and environmental significance.

It is an early and particularly successful example of design inspired by the International style and utilized by the Department of Public Works in the construction of numerous small federal buildings across the country after World War II.

The philosophy of the International style was the honest expression of structure, function and materials, as well as the elimination of superficial ornament. The building is a focal point of local activity, as well as a physical landmark due to its prominent location at the main business intersection. It is also one of only a few early structures to have survived in Chapleau.

History and Description

The Chapleau Federal Building, 4 Birch Street, Chapleau, Ontario was built in 1949-1950 to the design of staff architects, Department of Public Works. It was originally the property of Public Works Canada. See FHBRO Building Report 89-152.

The building was designated in 1990 as a recognized federal heritage building by the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office (FHBRO). The Heritage Character Statement above gives us some information about the heritage value of the building.

The Post Office building addressed both Lorne Street and Birch Street successfully and prominently identified this major intersection.

These drawings describe the original 1949 condition of the building. The windows were replaced in the 1980s and a wheelchair ramp was added.

The building has since been sold by Public Works Canada.

Character Defining Elements

The heritage character of the federal building is defined by its exterior design, the distinct uses of the formal components of the building and its siting and landmark qualities.

In keeping with the International style, the outward form of the building is an expression of the internal space; the visually strong vertical element contains a stairway and the main entrance, a linear block lit by a horizontal band of windows adjacent to the stair "tower" denotes the public spaces and a recessed upper floor houses other offices and caretaker quarters. The clear juxtaposition between the horizontal and vertical elements should be maintained, as should the well balanced composition of functional units.

The materials of the building, brick veneer, stone trim, aluminum doors and windows which reflect the designer's intent to express materials and structure honestly should be maintained.

Physically the federal building is a landmark and one of the most prominent buildings in the community. As a focal point for local activity and a centre of communication, both locally and from outside, the post office and other important federal activities should be maintained at this site, and the role of the building as a meeting place should continue to be encouraged through the retention of sitting areas, both inside and out.

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