Ilmari Lahdelma of 8-Studio designed the Haukiputaan seurakuntakeskus next to the historic Haukiputas Church in Finland. Completed in 1990, the center offers additional space for worship and teaching services.
The visitor enters from a facade of glass blocks. The butterfly roof breaks up the form into two sections and pushes movement toward the large end of the building. A grid of small square windows punch through this large end to portray a permanence and yet ongoing repetition of the grid pattern, culminating at the main cross. Light fixtures are hung low on a grid pattern to emphasize this design.
The original church building was built in 1762 by Viktor J. Sucksdorff. Grand murals by Mikael Toppelius wrap around the inside walls and ceiling. The minimalism of the interior in this Parish Center and the grid of form and light gives the structure religious meaning.
(anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license)
(anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license)
(anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license)
(anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license)
 (anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license) |
 (anni.vartola– flickr/creative commons license) |
