Foreign case study: St.

Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel

Location: Seiskarinkatu 35, 20900 Turku, Finland

Architects:

Estimated lot area: 34,400 sqm

Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel on top of a hill - ArchiExpo -

https://projects.archiexpo.com/project-27503.html

BACKGROUND AND OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT

Matti and Pirjo of the Sanaksenaho Architects created a project named St. Henry’s
Ecumenical Art Chapel, a building aimed to unite the built and natural environment, as well as to
provide a comfortable place for music, art exhibits, and place of worship. The Finnish couple
architects designed the multi-function structure and landscape with focus on strengthening both
spiritual and sensory experience of the users in the community. It stands on a hill located in the
city of Turku, Finland, which was a donated part of the land of the service center owned by a local
association, and offers a breathtaking view of the island.

As stated by ARQA Company (2015), the project was initiated because of an invitational
architecture competition in 1995 wherein the clients are individuals with different religions who
are part of a non-profit organization. The construction started during the year 2004 and completed
in May 2005, resembling an upside-down boat with a capacity of 200 people. It has been used as
a venue at various times for ceremonies, funeral services, and non-religious activities such as art
exhibitions and live performances.

Readily available pine wood is the material that made-up most of the building, bended in
pointed arches to have a modern look that recollects a Gothic cathedral. Aiming for natural
lighting, glass was used to illuminate the 36 feet high chapel. Laminated pine paneling and copper
encloses this load-bearing construction. Artworks are on display throughout the nave with
reference to medieval and Renaissance precedent. It changes periodically and is chosen to
support the religious ceremony.

ARCHITECTURAL ANALYSIS

Design Concept

Figure - St. Henry’s Chapel sketch of fish concept - Jillian Klassan -

https://jillianklassen.weebly.com/st-henrys-chapel.html
 The form of a fish was what inspired the architects regarding the design concept of the St.
Henry’s Chapel. It was said to be an early symbol of first Christians for ecumenical that made it
fit well to the proposed chapel. The glue laminated wood arches are constructed to resemble fish
bones, supporting the form of the building and its load-bearing structures. The arches were
prefabricated molds assembled on the hill.

Copper cladding aided the attempt to mimic a fish for the shape of the chapel. However,
the east end where the altar is located does not have copper but instead has a glass glazing that
runs on the arc’s edge. This design enables natural light to pass and lighten up the interior of the
chapel, giving emphasis to the altar. The lighting factor caused by this fulfilled the designers’
highlight on the target approach through spiritual experience. This means that it signifies the
destination of the sightseer just by the rays of daylight.

Site Planning

Figure - Site Plan of the chapel and the surrounding - https://arqa.com/en/architecture/st-

henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel-in-finland.html
 St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel stands on one of the hills of Hirvensalo island,
belonging to Turku, Finland. The site is a portion of the estimated 34,400 sqm local health
organization property, aligned east-west, that was donated after the intent to have an ecumenical
place of worship constructed on the area. A pathway is made available ascending towards the
structure's southern elevation. Its landscape was also part of the planning as they created the
design concept that it seemed distinct from other churches. Unlike the traditional sacred buildings,
St. Henry’s was bordered by coniferous trees, particularly pines, and spruces. This is because of
the plan of the architects to make it merge into its sculpted environment. In order to still keep up
with the formal conventions of churches, the structure is pointed to the east from the entrance to
the altar. The chapel in addition is surrounded by buildings which acts as the service center of the
organization for cancer patients.

Figure - Site property of local cancer-care organization - Google Images

Although the church sort of form a village with the co-existing buildings around it, it still
serves a calm space for patients, as well as tourists who came to visit the church. Its location is
an archipelago that is distant from the city center, causing the area to have fast or no traffic based
on Airbus Maxar Technologies (2023). With this, it provides worshipers a peaceful devotion and
meditation, along with the celebration of local creativity.
Architectural Design

Since the architecture was intentionally designed to portray a silent journey to people’s
destination, it had no operable windows and did not have much of artificial light. The east side of
the chapel has a strip of glass where the altar is located. Its interior space relies on the natural
light passing through the glass, and it was able to achieve the dim with the help of glass artist
Hannu Konola and the passageway gradually gets more lit across the 300sqm structure from the
west entrance to the east that has full height.

Figure - St. Henry’s chapel nave - Puuinfo LTD - https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-

buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en
 Figure - St. Henry’s chapel glass window strip at altar - Puuinfo LTD -
https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

A succession of 19 laminated pinewood arches spaced 2 meters apart is the primary

structure of the chapel. The rib arches and the roof pitches can be observed from the inside of
the structure, creating the fishbone design concept and a dynamic sense of perspective. These
were divided into 4 sections that differs in radii curves and overall length after these were trimmed
to accomplish the variety of width and height. The ingenious structural system made the seamless
curved form of the building even though the arches contrasts in size. The prefabricated and glue
laminated wood arches were attached to the concrete piles and fixed with horizontal wooden
beams. It supports the cladding planks in the interior side of the chapel and the copper plates on
the exterior surface.
 Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel cross section - Puuinfo LTD -
https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel longitudinal section - Sanaksenaho Architects,
Architizer - https://architizer.com/projects/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/
 Figure - St. Henry’s chapel rib arches - Puuinfo LTD - https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-
buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

The walls are likewise made of untreated pine panels, showing the natural characteristics
of wood. These are attached at an angle against the arched frames. Flooring and furniture are
made of boards that are also created with pine material while some furnishings found in the
vestibule are made out of solid European alder. The use of this natural wood will result into change
of color, from cream yellow to reddish after years. The copper used will similarly be changed in
color from reddish brown to green when oxidized over a period of time. This enables the design
objective to be successfully executed, as the green oxidized copper will blend into its surrounding
landscape.
 Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel on top of a hill -
https://projects.archiexpo.com/project-27503.html

Space Planning

Interior space of St. Henry’s chapel has several uses for the local community. A modest
music venue with undeniably spellbinding acoustics, a place of worship with an abundance of
benches, and an area for exhibiting works of art. From the ascending pathway on the hillside,
visitors enter from the west entrance open to the public. The vestibule creates a feeling of
transition from a profane to the sacred space. It is connected to the nave with a ramp between
the semi-private spaces of the toilet and the prayer room, and a private basement room. After a
person passes through the ramp, an art gallery welcomes the visitor.

The art gallery and the nave share the same space without any dividers. The gallery is
found in the dim space on the rear side while the apse is at the bright front side. Benches on the
rear space are stored away when the space will be used for art exhibition. These are customized,
simple, and without back rest to provide seating to keep a minimum spatial interruption.

Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel floor plan - Sanaksenaho Architects, Architizer -
https://architizer.com/projects/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/
 Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel prayer room - Puuinfo LTD -
https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel vestibule ramp - Puuinfo LTD -
https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

Other aspects of architecture

Copper Material
 Figure - St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel copper exterior - Puuinfo LTD -
https://puuinfo.fi/arkkitehtuuri/public-buildings/st-henrys-ecumenical-art-chapel/?lang=en

Copper has been a prominent material used for the exterior finish of St. Henry’s chapel. It
was used to achieve the objective of the design structure being able to blend into the natural
environment that surrounds it. Other than this purpose, copper is related to energy efficiency. The
following are benefits of using copper in different aspects as supported by studies from Harvard
College (2017), Issuu (2020), and International Copper Association (2019).

Energy efficiency and management. The HafenCity East district of Hamburg will be
powered by industrial heat from copper smelting thanks to the efforts of ICA members. By using
this heat instead of the present natural gas, 20,000 tons of CO2 will be saved annually.

Renewable energy. Commercial facilities can take advantage of the cost-saving

advantages of on-site renewable energy for owners and occupants. Because of its distinct
characteristics and intrinsic qualities, copper is a crucial part of solar energy systems. Additionally,
it is essential to wind energy technologies' electrical generators, connections, and grounding
protection systems.

Lighting and shading controls. The natural lighting and shading industries can offer natural
light for comfort and productivity. Office shading is encouraged by ASHRAE, WELL recognizes
both automated and solar glare controls, and LEED allows individual lighting and glare controls
to customize the environment for specific jobs and preferences.

Improve indoor air quality. According to research conducted by Harvard's Healthy

Buildings Program, even little improvements in interior environmental quality may have a
significant effect on employees' productivity. In order to improve public health and reduce mold
and airborne bacteria, ICA works with governments all around the world to assist them implement
minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for air conditioners.

As a result of copper's high thermal conductivity, resistance to air and water corrosion,
ability to be sealed and joined with solder, and mechanical strength, copper heat exchangers play
a crucial role in solar thermal heating and cooling systems. Due to its excellent thermal
conductivity, copper may continuously transfer heat from the sheet's edges to the area being
cooled.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Architects of St. Henry’s Ecumenical Art Chapel were able to incorporate traditional
concepts from Gothic, Medieval to Renaissance era into a modern form wherein function is the
focus. The nave is able to serve as a multi-function space for various ceremonies and events. A
spiritual atmosphere is maintained while the classic Christian church typology is redefined by the
modest church facade and distinctive program as an art and therapeutic place. However, the
concept form of a fish due to symbolizing ecumenical term is from the views of Christians and
may not be encouraged in other religions.

Benches do not have a backrest unlike other traditional pews and might be a problem to
people who attend mass or other gatherings inside the chapel. Backrest can help prevent back
pain, specifically on the lower part of the back, as the bodyweight is reduced on it. Without it,
some people may find it hard to sit on it in hours or it may not be suitable especially for the kids
and the elderly people.

Natural is the main idea of the design and wood was used a lot for almost all of what is on
people’s perspective as they enter the chapel. Even most furniture inside are made of one material
with the wall and floor finishes. It can be not pleasing to the eye if all of these are of one color and
not-user friendly for people with visual impairment. On the other hand, copper is one of the
materials that are essential to the shift to renewable energy and the built environment. In fact, the
International Copper Association (2019) recognizes copper’s critical role and is working globally
to expand energy efficiency. Both materials mentioned are prominent in the construction and are
considered natural, renewable, sustainable, and can contribute to a building’s energy efficiency.

RECOMMENDATIONS

This section presents the following recommendations after an architectural analysis was
conducted.

● Although copper is energy efficient, it may not be suitable to be used in such a large
amount in tropical countries unlike in Finland which is one of the coldest countries. Copper
is found to be a good conductor of heat and can hold it for a period of time and this may
trap the heat inside. It can still be used but in moderation.
● There are no operable windows available and can be a problem during emergencies. It is
recommended to have windows to have an energy-efficient passive cooling through
natural ventilation. To maintain dim lighting, windows can be tinted which can also lead to
reduced temperature.
● Spaces share the same area which might confuse privacy or the use of a space. Dividers
that are moveable and installed can be a solution to make a partition of spaces in a public
area, especially in a building like St. Henry’s chapel that is sacred and shares an unusual
space with an art gallery.
● More rooms and spaces can be added upon utilizing more areas of the lot. This will allow
the building to accommodate more people apart from its 200-maximum capacity.