Designed by Reima and Raili Pietilä, Kaleva Church is a key work of Finnish modern church architecture, completed in 1966. The building’s fish-shaped plan refers to an early Christian symbol, while its sculptural concrete walls and tall windows create a luminous and almost immaterial interior where natural light and shadow are integral to the architectural expression.
WhiteNight Lighting Oy designed the renewal of both the exterior and interior lighting, with the primary aim of reinforcing the original architectural concept and preserving the cultural and historical integrity of the building. Light is not treated as an added layer, but as an integral part of the whole, enhancing the plasticity, monumentality and rhythmic curvature of the architecture.
Both exterior and interior lighting solutions are based on the reuse of the original lighting structures. The façade lighting follows the existing concrete troughs, which define the placement and scale of the luminaires. Inside the church, the original lighting positions between the windows and their characteristic arms were retained. While their outward appearance remains faithful to the original design, the structures were carefully updated to accommodate contemporary lighting technology and precise aiming.
The exterior lighting reveals the form of the church in a restrained and dignified manner during the evening hours, while the interior lighting supports different functions of the space and highlights key elements such as the nave, altar area and organ. The lighting system is energy-efficient and fully controllable, allowing flexible lighting scenes for everyday use, ceremonies and special events. The result is a lighting solution that respects the architectural and spiritual heritage of Kaleva Church while meeting present-day technical and functional requirements.
