Merimiehenkatu Housing
- Helsinki
- 1962
Tapiola Church is part of the built environment of the Tapiola garden city in Espoo, built in the 1950s and 1960s. Architect Aarno Ruusuvuori won the architecture competition of Tapiola Church with his entry “Pyhät Puut” (Sacred Trees). After the competition, architects Jan Söderlund and Paavo Mykkänen continued to develop the plan at Ruusuvuori’s office. The Modernist church was completed in 1965. The church’s silverware was designed by artist Bertel Gardberg, and the original church textiles were designed by artist Irja Mikkola.
Tapiola church’s façades are of prefabricated concrete panels, glass and steel. Dark grey brick walls and the red tile floors form a contrast in the stripped-down interior. The simplified architecture is emphasised by the natural light, straight daylight doesn’t reach the assembly hall.
Architect Anna Jäämeri-Ruusuvuori designed a renovation and an extension to Tapiola church, which were completed in 1992.