Well-Known Architect To Speak On Some Of St. Catharines, Ontario’s Most Interesting Buildings

By Gail Benjafield

The Historical Society of St. Catharines (HSSC) announces a topic of considerable local interest to take place on the evening of Thursday February 24th.

Click on this poster to enlarge it and make it easier to read.

Local Architect Harald Ensslen of MacDonald Zuberec Ensslen will be giving the society and its guests a revealing look into some of the city’s most interesting mid-century buildings. One of them, the Lapierre/Peacock residence has won prestigious design awards, among them the Ontario Association of Architects Award, 2010.

Architecture is an extremely varied topic including European churches, classical temples and early skyscrapers. Modern buildings, specifically those of mid-twentieth century residential design, are often overlooked.

There are some great architects from this time period, such as Philip Johnson and Frank Lloyd Wright who have inspired others. There now seems to be a renewed interest in the residential architecture of the mid-20th century period and this is the focus of Ensslen’s presentation.

Ensslen tells us there are hidden gems throughout the city. An exhibition of some of these buildings will be mounted at the Niagara artists Centre in the near future. This exhibition will also include commercial and institutional buildings throughout Niagara.

Harald Ensslen holds a degree in architecture from the University of Toronto, and worked with various Toronto architectural firms until 1978. In that year he became a founding partner of Allen Ensslen and Allen Ensslen Barrett architects, in Toronto, a firm that specialized in non-profit and co-op housing projects.

From 1988 to present he has been a partner in MacDonaled Zuberec Ensslen Architects here in St.Catharines. Their many projects include Bethlehem housing, St. Catharines Market Hall, Ball’s Falls conservation Centre, many educational facilities in the peninsula and much more. The firm is currently working with Associated Architects Shore Tilbe Perkins + Wills in the construction of the St. Catharines Aquatic Centre and library in the north end. Ensslen was also a member of the first Urban Design Technical Advisory Committee which assisted the city’s first Urban Design Planner to develop guidelines for future planning efforts within the city.

Harald Ensslen’s topic is titled “Why architecture matters: mid-century modern architecture in St. Catharines. He has promoted our city’s unique architecture through some featured articles in The Globe and Mail Real Estate section of that paper. Evidently quite proud of the many architectural treats that dot the city, he has actively sought to bring more attention to them.

Join with us to hear Ensslen’s presentation. I am sure we will be quite surprised to discover all of the buildings we pass by daily —i and possibly overlook — which turn out to be architectural gems.

Everyone is welcome.

“Why Architecture matters: mid-century modern architecture in St. Catharines”

St. Catharines Museum, Lock 3    Thursday February 24th, 7:30 PM

Gail Benjafield is a Board member of the Historical Society of St. Catharines & a member of the several historical and community organizations.

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