tervajärvi forest chapel in finland demonstrates the beauty of timber

nestled between the trees of a forest in southern finland is a small wooden chapel designed by architecturestudio NOAN and built by a team of volunteers. called ‘tervajärvi forest chapel’, the sacred space is articulated by black tarred timber on the outside and elegantly curved glulam beams on the inside.

images by essi nisonen | @essi.jpg (unless otherwise stated)

the chapel was commissioned by lempäälä parish as a new addition to the tervajärvi campground. the church building measures a modest 50 sqm (538 sqft) and serves as the camp church for confirmation camps and as a venue for small weddings or christenings.

when approaching the design, the architect sought to create a timely space that reflects the changing role of religious buildings. ‘instead of institutional built symbols and their associated traditions, I see future church buildings as being smaller sacral spaces that emphasize joy and communality, yet also afford consolation,’ says lassi viitanen, principal designer at architecturestudio NOAN. ‘the form and proportions of the sacral building should convey the message of a place that provides space for tranquillity.’

the floor plan is defined by a simple rectangle with double entrance doors on one side and a large window on the other, which offers a framed view out onto a nearby lake. the main visual and structural element of the chapel is the glulam timber roof trusses that take inspiration from nature, the lake, and ecclesiastical rituals. made from finnish spruce, the prefabricated beams curve along the length of the roof, acting as their own diagonal stiffening structure and eliminating the need for any transverse elements.

to achieve cost-effectiveness, structural integrity, and an aesthetically pleasing finish, NOAN spent a lot of time exploring various design solutions and testing them out on site with the volunteer builders and the wood component supplier. the team made scale 1:1 models of the corner joint to ensure it was moment-resistant and took four different attempts to find the correct shape for the arc of the glulam beam.

with no visible fasteners and the natural grain of the timber left untouched, the final architecture immerses churchgoers in a warm, welcoming environment that feels perfectly in keeping with the forest surroundings. to complete the chapel, NOAN even custom designed movable larch furniture, including brass components, which was made to order by local carpenter puusepänliike hannes oy. the joints and other details of the furniture were developed in collaboration with the carpenter.