Franchise
Discovering the Temppeliaukio Kirkko: A Modern Church Carved in Stone in Helsinki, Finland
CHURCH DESIGN/ RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS
Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church located in Helsinki’s Töölö neighborhood. The church is known for being embedded in rocks, earning it the nickname “The Church of the Rock.” The church’s unique design is the result of an architectural competition won by the architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1961.
Since the 1930s, the Temppeliaukio Square was designated as the location for the parish church. Construction of the church began in February 1968 and ended in September 1969. The church serves as both a place of worship and a treasured concert venue due to its impressive acoustics.
The church is appreciated as one of Helsinki’s most beloved landmarks, despite initial public criticism. The church’s design is emphasized by its natural elements and connection to the land. The sanctuary floor is designed to be at the same level as the highest street entering the square, making the main space accessible for all users.
The church’s unique features include the absence of a bell tower and skylights surrounding the dome that create a play of light and shadows. The exposed rock walls create impressive acoustics and give the church its distinctive appearance.
The church’s design decisions are aligned with the unique geological characteristics of Helsinki, which has an underground master plan. The church’s construction took place during the post-war period, leading to economic constraints that reduced the interior space.
However, the church’s acoustical qualities and unique design have made it a beloved landmark in Helsinki. It blends so seamlessly into the surrounding rocks that it is often described as “The Church of the Rock.”
Despite some initial controversy, the Temppeliaukio Church is now considered one of Helsinki’s most beloved landmarks. It serves both as a place of worship for the residents of Töölö and a popular concert venue, thanks to its impressive acoustics.
The rough, exposed rock walls contribute to the unique sound quality inside the church, while the skylights surrounding the dome create a play of light and shadows that enhances the sense of airiness.
The roof of the church is another notable feature, with a flat 24m diameter dome supported by radial concrete beams. The dome is covered in an unoxidized copper thread measuring 22 kilometers in length, and is surrounded by 180 glass panes that form a large skylight.
The shape of the glass panes varies to create a smooth transition from the dome’s geometrical shape to the free form of the surrounding rocks. Above the altar, the skylight increases in size, bringing even more light to this space dedicated to holy rituals.
The interior of the church is designed to emphasize the natural elements of the surrounding area, with large granite rocks stacked on top of the natural stone walls to create a 13-meter-tall space. The materials used, including copper and exposed concrete, were chosen to complement the shades of the pink granite stone.
During the spring, when the snow melts, water seeps from the cracks in the bedrock and is collected in small channels in the floor.
Another unique feature of the Temppeliaukio Church is the absence of a bell tower. Instead, a recording of bells by Finnish composer Taneli Kuusisto is played from speakers on the exterior walls. The design decisions made by the Suomalainen brothers might seem unusual, but they are well aligned with the unique geological characteristics of Helsinki, which has an underground master plan and limited natural resources.
The Temppeliaukio Church is a modern and innovative place of worship that seamlessly blends into the natural landscape of Töölö. Its unique design and impressive acoustics have made it a beloved landmark in Helsinki, attracting visitors from all over the world.
