Tapiola Church - Ascetic and brutal. Beautiful?

We celebrated the confirmation of my husband’s grandson Kalle at the Tapiola Church. Tapiola in Espoo is world famous for its beautiful architecture and brought worldwide fame for Finnish urban planning. From its first stages in the 50s it gained both a national and international reputation for its high class architecture and landscaping. You know that I am a fan of modern Finnish architecture, but I have to say that this church is ugly! And I am not alone with my opinion.

There are no decorations, only grey brick walls all over. No Christ or painting at the altar.

Outside is a massive undulating concrete block.

The church was completed in 1965. The architect was Professor Aarno Ruusuvuori, who was selected through an invitation to tender. The competition entry of Ruusuvuori was called "Holy Trees". Because the church grounds were surrounded by tall white housing towers, with which the church building could not compete, the architect's vision was to turn the building into a dark shadow over a pine forest.

Photo: Antti Vettenranta / Pharmacy News

The Tapiola Church in Espoo was a success a few years ago in a vote of Helsingin Sanomat (the leading newspaper in the country) seeking the ugliest church in Finland. People did not like the bunker-like design of the building and the "concrete monstrosity” lacked totally prestige in their opinion. I have to agree, but then I saw this article in favour written by Ville Hänninen / Pharmacy News. He wrote:

"As I sit on the bench, my eyes turn to the wall, again and again. I think of children who, in their boredom, count bricks during the worship. I listen to the sound of the organ and I look the entity of the bricks, individual bricks, their similarities - until I interact with the work. The building calms, and protects.”

My husband’s beautiful daughter and the handsome grandson ❤︎

I don’t know about the calming effect, but the ceremony was beautiful and the young boys and girls adorable. It had been an international confirmation camp where also some children of expatriate Finns participated. The languages were Finnish & English. The after party was full of delicious food & laughter, the sun was shining, and the day was happy and a success!

// WILLY-NILLY