Espoon seurakuntayhtymä

Otaniemi Chapel repairs will be carried out with respect for history and the surrounding natural environment

1.4.2026 07:00:00 EEST | Espoon seurakuntayhtymä | Press release

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Espoo Parish Union and the SRV have signed an agreement on the renovation of the Otaniemi Chapel property in Otaniemi, Espoo.

Otaniemi Chapel
Otaniemi Chapel. Photo: Espoo Parish Union.

The project will be carried out as a fixed-price contract. The total value of the project is approximately EUR 2.8 million.

The chapel will be fully renovated

 The Otaniemi Chapel, renowned for its architecture, was completed in 1957 based on a competition entry submitted by architects Heikki and Kaija Siren. The Chapel has undergone a renovation in 2006, and other smaller repairs have been performed over the years. In this project, the chapel and its grounds will be fully renovated.

 Work will begin in April 2026, and the project is expected to be completed in September 2027

 – The renovation of the Otaniemi Chapel is an interesting project for us, because the chapel is a part of the Otaniemi campus, which is a cultural environment with national significance, says Director of Unit Kimmo Hyry from SRV.

– During the project, we will utilise our versatile experience in the refurbishment and renovation of properties with architectural and historical significance. Previously, we have renovated both the Snellmania building and the new parts of the Finnish National Theatre, Hyry continues.

 The chapel will be repaired taking into account the historical background and natural surroundings

 The Otaniemi Chapel’s architecture and unique relationship with nature have been widely recognised. The chapel is included in the list of landmark works of Finnish modern architecture compiled by the international DOCOMOMO organisation. It has also been awarded the International Carlo Scarpa Prize for Gardens in 2009.

The chapel has a close connection with the nature surrounding it, as the altar opens to a wooded landscape through a large glass wall. The project will renovate the grounds while protecting and respecting the surrounding nature. At the same time, the separate caretaker’s residence will be completely demolished and rebuilt to serve the parish’s club activities.

– The project's planning has been underway since the beginning of 2024, and it is very gratifying to see plans moving from the desktop to implementation, says Teemu Rantala, Project Development Engineer for Property Services at the Espoo Parish Union.

– The built environment has significant architectural value and a connection with nature, which are now also preserved during the construction phase. The client organisation is eagerly looking forward to the opening of the new and renovated facilities.

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Otaniemi Chapel
Otaniemi Chapel.
Photo: Espoo Parish Union.
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Espoo Parish Union

Espoon tuomiokirkkoseurakunta, Espoonlahden seurakunta, Leppävaaran seurakunta, Olarin seurakunta, Tapiolan seurakunta and Esbo svenska församling form together Espoon Parish Union. There is altogether 154 644 members and approximately 500 employees in the parishes.

Church in Espoo - Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland

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