Kannelmäki Church, Lutheran church in Kannelmäki district, Helsinki, Finland
Kannelmäki Church is a place of worship in Helsinki featuring a distinctive tent-shaped form created by four hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces of reinforced concrete. The interior can hold about 500 people, and the building also includes spaces for community gatherings and youth activities.
The building was constructed between 1967 and 1968 following a 1962 architectural competition won by Marjatta and Martti Jaatinen. Its innovative design represented a new approach to how churches were being built at that time.
The altar window features stained glass artwork depicting the Tree of Life, and the colored light from this window fills the interior as visitors sit in the pews.
The interior is easy to navigate with clear sightlines to the altar area from most seating. Visitors should be aware that this is an active place of worship, so it is important to respect the local customs and conduct.
The roof weighs around 580 tons and rests on just four corner pillars, making it a remarkable example of daring architectural design. This construction allows the interior to have an open ceiling without supporting columns.
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