VIIKKI CHURCH - architeria.eu

VIIKKI CHURCH

The church forms the core of an area plan that will be implemented gradually. It extends into the narrowing
scene amidst building fronts, between a park and a market place. The relationship between the church
and its surroundings will be defined in time on the basis of drafts by JKMM Architects according to the winning
entry of an architectural competition. The lines of the eaves echo the forms of a stand of trees and the building
becomes part of the trees surrounding it.

The architectonic choices of the church were guided by prefabrication, as the church was built
of factory-made components non-stop to completion. The building has been braced by attaching insulated
outer wall elements to the pillars and the panels of the ceiling to the glulam beams. The paneling was already
attached to the plate stiffener of the inner walls at the factory. The architecture of church hall was built in
one go. The untreated and grey-aged façade has been clad in cleft aspen shingles and fine-sawn drop siding.
The interior lining of spruce have been treated with a wash of lye, leaving them easy to clean and renew.
The acoustic elements of the false ceiling are form pressed veneer elements.

Our idea of a space gouged in a forest is realized in the halls of the church. Architecture wishes to evoke
impressions of the Finnish forest; of its sacredness and common nature. Dense wooden clustered columns
and beams are architect-created structures. The structural idea is essentially defining the whole. The detail
of the outer wall reflects a design concept by itself. The aim has been the all-wood atmosphere which is
devout and uplifting.

The furniture, furnishings and lighting has been tailor-made design by architects to suit the church’s activities.
The hall’s stackable chair creates the impression of a long church pew. The altar furnishings, highlight by cleft
aspen surfaces, are outlined against the tripartite silver surface altarpiece, whose wine-colored tones
transform in light.

The church combines modern and ancient building methods, sophisticated and rough-hewn surfaces, location
and purpose, temporality and eternity. The intention of the client has been to create a modern successor
for the long tradition of Finnish wooden churches, which takes into account the ecological ideas and criteria
of sustainability of the whole Viikki area.

Project data:
> Client: Helsinki Parishes, Markku Koskinen
> Author: JKMM Architects: Samuli Miettinen, Asmo Jaaksi, Teemu Kurkela, Juha Mäki-Jyllilä
> Project team: other architectural team members in addition to authors: Päivi Meuronen, interior architect
Janne Järvinen, Hella Hernberg, Teemu Toivio, Johanna Ojanlatva, Johanna Rope, Sini Kukkonen
> Site area: 3411 sqm2
> Built-up area: 1392 sqm2 (total 1566 sqm2)
> Scope: 10 400 sqm3
> Start of planning: January 2002, competition 2000
> Completition: Sebtember 2005
> Building costs: total 8,5 milj.€ incl. VAT + design, furniture, art and all other movables etc. (building-technical
costs 6,5 milj.€ incl. VAT)