Kintulammi nature reserve in Tampere is an outdoor area for hikers with numerous shelters for overnight stays or to have a break by a campfire. All the shelters are freely accessible by all and maintained by the City of Tampere. The structures are made of ecological materials, mostly wood and recycled materials.

Designed by architect Malin Moisio, the Kirkkokivi shelter is located near a large natural boulder which, according to folklore, served as a primitive church for local horse shepherds in the 18th century. Hence the name Kirkkokivi, church rock.

The shelter is not meant for sleeping but the aim of the structure is to provide a comfortable and peaceful shelter for hikers, a place for resting and preparing a meal by the fireplace. A wheelchair-accessible path leads to the shelter from the nearby parking area.

The rectangular form of the floor plan and the steeply pitched roof reflect the prototype of a house. The high interior space with open ends creates a sacral space, which blends in with surrounding nature. The openings of various sizes provide focused views to the forest.

The shelter is made of a vertically placed 5 x 5 inch timber frame. The massive wooden walls are placed on a plinth made of recycled paving stones. The roof structure and even the benches that stiffen the structure are made of the same timber. The roof is felted, and the wooded parts are treated with a natural blend of tar and linseed oil.

The building was developed in cooperation with the city-owned company Ekokumppanit and the Parish of Tampere who contributed to the building materials. All the construction work was done on-site without electricity, mainly with hand tools. Within a short period of time, the Kirkkokivi shelter has become an iconic symbol of the Kintulammi Hiking and Nature Reserve.