Federal Building

The Federal Building is set back from the curb, and bordered by wide promenades at the corner of Perrault Street and Portage Avenue. The classically-inspired building consists of a two-storey, rectangular, flat-roofed structure with formal stone entrance porticos on its two main elevations and a one-storey, side addition. The influence of the Modern style is expressed in minimal ornamentation limited to soldier courses in the red brick walls. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

The Federal Building is a recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical Value

The Federal Building, as a former post-office, is associated with the construction of a number of small federal post offices built in towns across Canada. This was part of a job creation program conceived by the federal government to combat the economic crisis of the 1930s. The building was also part of a federal-provincial plan to settle the Abitibi region using unemployed workers from the St. Lawrence valley. The building is now used as an Armoury.

Architectural Value

The Federal Building is valued for its good aesthetic design and is representative of the popular design used for a number of post-office buildings built across Canada. The building displays Classical forms and detailing interpreted in a stripped-down manner, illustrative of the growing transition to Modern design in federal buildings. The materials used for its construction result in a structure that is truly Canadian, with stone from Westmount, hardware from Toronto, steel from the mills of Sarnia, Ontario, and British Columbia lumber.

Environmental Value

The Federal Building is compatible with the present character of its central streetscape setting in downtown Rouyn and is a well-known building in the community.

Sources:

Marc de Caraffe, Edifice fédéral, Rouyn, Québec, Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office Building Report, 83-006; Federal Building (former Post Office), Rouyn, Québec, Heritage Character Statement, 83-006.

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

Its stripped-down classical style, good functional design and fine quality materials and

craftsmanship, for example:

-the two-storey rectangular flat-roofed form;

-the classically-inspired elements including the symmetry of the principal façade, the

regular rhythm of window and door openings on both elevations and the simple stone

entablature supported by columns;

-the Modern influence expressed in minimal ornamentation, limited to soldier courses in

the red brick walls;

-the good quality masonry construction;

-the interior materials such as terrazzo floors for the public spaces and the maple

hardwood for offices.

The manner in which the Federal Building is compatible with the character of its central streetscape setting and is a familiar building, as evidenced by:

-its stripped-down classical style and materials, which reinforce a federal presence in

the community and which harmonize with the adjacent buildings on the streetscape;

-its familiar, public profile within the community, given its federal use as the former post

office and as an armoury;

-its visibility given its large scale and central location on a corner site.