![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/E5810F53-4DE4-4EF5-8574-8979CDA99291/ED0A5F.jpg)
Viikki Church, Helsinki, Finland. Architect: JKMM Architects, 2005. Detail of timber elements at rear of nave.
In commissioning a new church for Viikki, the Lutheran Church wanted a contemporary successor to the long tradition of Finnish timber churches. JKMM Architects responded with a remarkable design, evoking the stillness and nature of the surrounding forests: in the interior, through dense clustered columns and beams, and the striking Elämän puu (Tree of life) altarpiece in mahogany and silver; to the exterior, in weathered aspen shingles. Particular attention was paid to practicalities: in construction, prefabricated factory elements were used where possible, while interior spruce was treated with a lye wash, making it easy to maintain. JKMM won the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award 2006 for Viikki Church.
Size: 3344px × 5016px
Location:
Photo credit: © David Borland-VIEW / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 2005, 21st, agronominkatu, architect, architects, architecture, award, brown, century, church, colour, day, europe, finland, general, helsinki, image, interior, jkmm, lutheran, malmi, memorial, parish, perspective, seating, series, timber, truss, view, viikki, wall, winner, wooden