Renovation of the Otaniemi Chapel to move ahead
The Otaniemi Chapel was built in 1956 to 1957. It was designed by architects Kaija and Heikki Siren. The Chapel is considered one of their key works as well as one of the flagships of Finnish Church architecture. The chapel is located on a small, forested hill in Otaniemi in the middle of the Tech Village. The chapel underwent modernisation work in 2006 and other smaller repair projects have been carried out over the years. Now the chapel building is in need of basic renovation.
Otaniemi Chapel, which is in need of renovation. Photographs: Teemu Rantala.
The need for renovations was prepared by Property Services in cooperation with Tapiolan seurakunta, joint parish work between Espoo’s parishes, and work with educational institutions.
The contract tendering phase of the chapel’s renovation project will end on 14 January. The contract has been put out to tender as an open tendering process and an all-in contract. Preparatory demolition work has been carried out at the chapel in terms of e.g. fixed furniture and specific structural openings.
Fixed furniture and the organs have been transported to temporary storage and will also be restored and repaired.
“The project will include the renovation of the chapel building with extensive but necessary measures,” says Project Manager Teemu Rantala.
“The caretaker’s apartment located next to the chapel will be demolished and a secondary building will be built to support the chapel’s functions.”
Once the basic renovation project has been completed, it will be possible to hold events such as baptisms and weddings there, and a wide range of activities for different target groups will be organised there.
In spring 2025, the chapel and its surroundings were designated a protected, for which reason it has not been possible to design additional facilities inside the chapel building that would serve such things as basic functions and instead a secondary building will be built. The protection did not apply to the caretaker’s apartment.
The contract will include the repair of driving routes and passageways as well as yard areas. In addition, harmful plant species such as the Japanese knotweed, which has spread to the southern façade, will be removed from the area.
Some trees will be felled on the plot in accordance with the building permit during the third week of January.
“The trees will be cut down now in winter so as to not interfere with the bird nesting season that begins in the spring. Plans will be made to plant new trees and plants in place of the trees that are cut down,” explains Facility Manager Elina Meijula-Laaksonen.
We ask that people to avoid the Otaniemi Chapel’s plot, especially during week 3, i.e. 12 to 16 January to avoid accidents from happening.
Mon Jan 12 15:27:53 EET 2026