Kamppi Chapel is a place for meeting people and appreciating peace and quiet in the centre of Helsinki. Employees of the church and the Department of Social Services and Health Care are on hand in the lobby of the chapel during opening hours. The chapel is jointly run by the Lutheran congregations of Helsinki and the City of Helsinki’s Department of Social Services and Health Care.

The chapel was designed by Mikko Summanen, Niko Sirola and Kimmo Lintula, architects from Helsinki-based practice, K2S Architects. The chapel is 11.5 metres tall and it is made of three different types of wood. The external walls of the chapel are made of spruce. The external walls are coated in a special type of wax that uses nanotechnology. The internal walls are made of alder that was milled into shape, while the fittings and internal door of the chapel are made of ash. The ceiling of the chapel contains plasterboard, which has a sound-proofing effect. The cross on the altar was made by silversmith Antti Nieminen. The silk paraments are the handiwork of textile artist Tiina Uimonen.

 

Extract from the Finnish Architecture Biennial Review 2014 jury report:

“A sculptural, curved box catches your eye in a welcoming way with its warm-toned weatherboarding. The calmness and sacral feeling of the wooden interior embraces the visitors and transports them miles away from the city’s hustle and bustle.”

 

Location

Simonkatu 7, Helsinki
60.16944626, 24.93591565

Images

Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© Marko Huttunen)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© Museum of Finnish Architecture)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© Tuomas Uusheimo)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel (© K2S Architects Ltd)

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