The St. Michael’s Church in Kontula district is one of the many church buildings designed by architects Käpy and Simo Paavilainen. The building with various shapes and building materials is one of the most impressive examples of the Postmodernist churches in Finland. The primary elevation materials are red brick, white-painted plaster and grey-painted wood.

Käpy and Simo Paavilainen were assisted by Peter Verhe, Richard Fawell, Ari Lainevuo, Simo Freese, Irma Verhe, Matti Huhtamies, Marina Fogdell and Harri Ahonen. The altar painting, based on invited competition, was realised by artist Hannu Väisänen. The church textiles are by Maija Lavonen and altar silver by Zoltan Popovits. Kari Juva sculpted the St. Michael and cross on top of the church.

Source: Finnish Architectural Review 7/1988

Location

Emännänpolku 1, Helsinki
60.2355535, 25.087714

Images

Corridor, St. Michael’s Church
Corridor, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Forecourt and belltower, St. Michael’s Church
Forecourt and belltower, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Forecourt and belltower, St. Michael’s Church
Forecourt and belltower, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Main entrance, St. Michael’s Church
Main entrance, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Entrance to activities wing, St. Michael’s Church
Entrance to activities wing, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Parish yard, St. Michael’s Church
Parish yard, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Detail of the elevation, St. Michael’s Church
Detail of the elevation, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Staircase, St. Michael’s Church
Staircase, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Assembly hall, St. Michael’s Church
Assembly hall, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Altar, St. Michael’s Church
Altar, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Assembly hall, St. Michael’s Church
Assembly hall, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Large parish hall, St. Michael’s Church
Large parish hall, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Small parish hall, St. Michael’s Church
Small parish hall, St. Michael’s Church (© Jussi Tiainen / MFA)
Site plan , St. Michael’s Church
Site plan , St. Michael’s Church (© Käpy and Simo Paavilainen Architects)
Section plan, St. Michael’s Church
Section plan, St. Michael’s Church (© Käpy and Simo Paavilainen Architects)
Ground floor, St. Michael’s Church
Ground floor, St. Michael’s Church (© Käpy and Simo Paavilainen Architects)

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