Helsingin Vanha Mäntylä
2026Renovation of a listed timber building Helsinki
Renovation of a listed building
Luther Church
The return of a listed church from restaurant use to a church and parish centre.
- Location
- Helsinki
- Completion
- 2016
- Arkail’s role
- Principal designer; architectural and interior design
A return to church use
Luther Church on Fredrikinkatu in Helsinki had been used as a restaurant for many years. The project, which began in 2014, returned the building to use as a church and parish centre. The church reopened in May 2016.
Layers of architectural history
The building originated as a prayer hall designed by K. A. Wrede in 1894. Hilding Ekelund’s alterations in 1931 gave the church its functionalist character. The renovation took account of the building’s protected status and its return to church use.
From overall design to individual details
Maria Ailio served as principal designer throughout the design and construction stages. The commission included architectural design for the renovation, fitted and freestanding furniture, church textiles and construction drawings.
