Monday, 26 November 2007 |
Located in the Ostrobothnia region, near the campus of Helsinki
University on the eastern side of Helsinki, JKMM Architects won a
national competition to design the Vikkii Urban Centre. The focal
point of the Centre is a church clad in aspen shingles that have turned
gray since construction was completed in 2005. Throughout Europe
new church design is not synonymous with modernity, so when the Parish
of Helsinki approached the architects at JKMM, they welcomed the
opportunity to contribute to a newly developed urban area housing
approximately 13,000 residents.
Many Scandinavian churches serve as civic spaces for the surrounding
community to gather. Of course sacral characteristics are still
present, and the Viikki Church’s central space and adjoining
congregation hall have a light-filled cathedral-like appearance. The
architects chose timber for practically every surface of the interior
space as well: oaken doors, spruce ceiling and walls, and aspen
furniture allow the congregation to feel as though they are gathering
within a forest. Large windows open the space even further onto
the surrounding landscape of the countryside. The church does not
sit in isolation, however a new market was built to the north and an
urban park sits to the south.
Samuli Miettinen, a partner in JKMM believes, “A church is like a
window allowing a glimpse from heaven. Through the design, the
architect can help people to be aware of experiencing something
themselves, but also of being watched over. The building carries with
it both the architecture and the liturgy.” By Andrew J Wiener.
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Vikkii Church, Helsinki 
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