Kuokkalan Kirkko - collage and architecture

Lassila Hirvilammi Architects
The firm was founded in Oulu in 2001
by Anssi Lassila and Teemu Hirvilammi.
Shortly after, they relocated to the town of
Seinäjoki, which was already famous for
being home to some of Aalto’s major works.
Lassila Hirvilammi takes on a wide variety of
projects (office buildings, housing, churches,
interiors, renovations, et cetera). Their main
goal is to create sustainable buildings and
environments while finding efficient solutions
for their clients. They wish to combine innovation
with experience, in aesthetic terms
as well as practical ones. They also find it
important to communicate extensively with
construction professionals so as to attain the
highest level of craftsmanship possible. They
are very interested in working with wood materials,
so seamless cooperation with structural
designers is crucial to their process.
The Kuokkala Church’s placement makes it a
central part of the community, program aside, so the
building needed to evoke a sense of reflection of its
surroundings. The designers used mostly natural
materials for both the interior and exterior of the
church, giving it an organic sort of texture. The main
interior space makes extensive use of wood construction
and finishes, so the designers used three
different types of locally-sourced wood whose natural
tone helps to brighten the interior. The exterior
walls and ceiling were constructed with a durable
slate that would have a relatively low environmental
impact. There are also strategic apertures like the
one along the peak of the roof that lets direct daylight
into the interior and illuminates all three stories
of the building.
The designers describe the form of the building
as being “of our time, but permeated with nods
to and reinterpretations of church-building tradition”.
The main building, oriented east-west, is at the focal
point of the Kuokkala district, with a separate
steeple standing off to the side. The building is
flanked by granite walls and a stairway that, along
with the bell tower located on the adjacent square,
usher visitors toward the main entrance.
The programmatic elements within
the church occur across three stories. On
the main floor are the church hall and parish
meeting hall, which can be combined to create
a shared space. The children’s and youth
facilities also adjoin onto this space, along
with the church offices that open directly into
the market square. Overlooking these spaces
is the gallery, which contains the musical
director’s office as well as the organ.
Structurally, the church consists
of predominantly wooden construction.
The ceiling combines a glulam frame and
wooden gridshell construction, which serves
to integrate the main hall spaces aesthetically.
The gridshell was assembled in three
sections and then laminated in-situ. Locally
sourced spruce is used in structural pieces
and interior surfaces. The furnishings for the
church are made from ashwood and the altar
furnishings from limewood (which has historically
been used for carving religious icons).
Kuokkalan
Kirkko
Kuokkalan Kirkko
(Kuokkala Church)
Architect: Lassila Hirvilammi Architects
Location: Syöttäjänkatu, Jyväskyla, Finland
Client: Parish of Jyväskyla
Project Area: 1,311 square meters
Project Year: 2008-2010
Kuokkalan Kirkko
“The wish of the Parish of Jyväskylä was
to build ‘a church that looks like a church’. Our
proposal was a simple, sculptural form within
which all of the church’s different functions
could be contained.”
-Lassila Hirvilammi Architects
Monica Whitmire
Savannah DeWitt
Carley Coates

Housing community
Housing community
Syöttäjänkatu
Upper Level
Open green space
Main Hall
Lower Level
The Kuokkalan Kirkko is located within a
neighborhood community and serves as a
focal point within the Kuokkala district. It is
surrounded by housing, but the building still
has plenty of breathing room. Visitors mainly
approach from the west and are directed to
the main entrance with the help of the stand
alone clock tower out front and massive
stone steps adjacent to the building.
The building’s program is split into three
different levels. The lower most level contains
church offices. The main entry level
contains the main worship hall, meeting
hall, and children’s area. The upper level,
which only occupies a small amount in
the great hall, contains the organ and
cantors’ office.
Main Divide
The main hall is separated from the meeting
hall area through a set of glass partitions. If
desired, the partitions may be moved to create
one large hall.
Entrance
The upper level can be accessed on
either side of the hall. The stairs to the office
area below are located just to the left
of the main entrance.
Main Hall Volume
The main entrance is located on the south
side of the building, and is inset in the slate
panels that cover the facade.
Meeting Hall
Combine Spaces
The volume of the main hall extends to the
roof. The upper level area does not cut into
the space.
Light was also an important factor considered
in the design. A large opening runs
along the center of the main hall and allows
light to flood in. A thinner side opening
runs from floor to ceiling and allows
ample northern light.