Finnish Lutheran Church Canberra 1961 by Grounds Romberg & Boyd | A Forgotten Mid-Century Modern Gem

[@imadasmone8915]

I suppose the best way to learn architecture is by experiencing.. if not, by watching videos like these.. 😍

[@Archimarathon]

Yes, definitely. We are trying to make learning about architecture accessible

[@imadasmone8915]

@@Archimarathon appreciate that effort very much

[@Nynke_K]

When I saw the picture of the two of you in the wooden pews against the wooden ceiling, it seemed very Nordic and that made so much sense for a Finnish church - but I could never have predicted the dramatic roof and spire or the very poor insulation! 😅

[@Archimarathon]

Australia. Hard tents.

[@MrDavidPrime]

Churches that are well executed, like this one, always seem to have a certain quality about them that is hard to find in other buildings

[@Archimarathon]

Churches tend to mess with your senses

[@2brazy4ubitch]

Or just specific concern to some sort of controlled/modelled daylighting strategy because of the obvious connection to heaven etc? It’s only just clicked for me after someone pointed out light is only visible when it hits matter (i.e. objects and surfaces unless your building is full of dust) so may as well think through all daylighting as surface-lighting where bringing up ambient light level in the room is one of more than one possible end goal to have.

[@morneschroeder6255]

A gem of a building, absolutely love the structure and detail. What an amazing interior!

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Morne. Yes it’s so underrated

[@phoebe9130]

i live just around the corner and had always wondered about this building! such nice light at sunset through the top!

[@hurtecho]

I feel like the space could use some depuration in some areas but I understand that there's an assigned use to each environment inside and it looks like the spaces were adapted at convenience...incredibly symmetrical building, what a joy! There's an inherent solemnity to buildings like this that's unrepeatable, evident in the whispering type of feeling.

[@davidchannon6004]

I went past here today. It was a nice surprise on my way to the Botanical Gardens having watched this video a year or so back.

[@davidchannon6004]

I then saw the Shine Dome 5 minutes later. It was an ArchiBiathlon.

[@gabybordino6024]

What a beautiful building! It´s simple but full of amazing and clever details. I love the use of materials. The church is really interesting. I particularly love to study and learn about cult architecture because materiality and spiritual meanings are tightly connected. In this case, in a brilliant way

[@Archimarathon]

We can see the original intentions despite how the building has evolved over time and things altered.

[@simeonjamison3034]

Beautiful building! The insight on how buildings are often better preserved due to a limited budget is food for thought. In South Africa there is also not much heritage preservation for buildings such as these.

[@Archimarathon]

I think it’s easily overlooked by how good some of these mid century modern stuff can be. I think the uninitiated wouldn’t know how to look and appreciate it.

[@infamoussphere7228]

I have my Finnish classes here! Because the Finnish community in Canberra is now very small, the peak of immigration being in the 60s - hence the church - the Finnish club no longer exists and most of the community organisational stuff is done via the church, even things that aren't religiously affiliated. a) I love that you mentioned that the Finnish community complain about how un-insulated Australian buildings are. I live in a Canberra house that's from the 50s and it's not too bad at all in the summer, keeps cool quite nicely, but Canberra is a cold bastard and in winter it doesn't hold onto the heat too well. On the other hand I find Finnish buildings can be, for my taste, way too hot. My Finnish partner wears t shirts inside in the middle of winter in Finland. b) this church is FREEZING. I've been wearing a coat inside from about April onwards. I feel sorry for the older Suomalaiset who attend services here.

[@Archimarathon]

Voi ei!!!

[@aldrichjohn10]

I love the church, one of a kind symmetrical marriage of structural system and the plan. A lot of space is filled with light, across the corners which is very unique. Less-known but actually piece of gem of liturgical architecture. Great discussion Archimarathon.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. Have you been to it before?

[@aldrichjohn10]

Never been there, but during the scenes and discussions, all I see in those spaces is a well use with natural light! One of the things what makes it great for me.

[@Archimarathon]

Check out the original plan. Was even more amazing

[@martinwander8295]

Lovely building. Thank you. I’m struck by the way that both of you changed demeanors so each cadence and volume as you entered the sanctuary. That speaks to the way that excellent architecture truly affects the people surrounded by that architecture. It affects all of your senses. Perhaps a blind person would understand the building by the way it manipulated senses beyond sight.

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks Martin. Yes definitely. In fact I had to boost Andrew’s volume right up as he was practically whispering. It’s a pity the building, and in effect this video doesn’t get much love as it deserves.

[@kbal1451]

Long time Canberran here, been here since 1970. My God, I've always hated that Grounds Romberg & Boyd church and other similar architecture doted around town, but you guys have given me a real appreciation for them. I feel like popping out to check on some of the others.

[@Archimarathon]

Why hated?

[@kbal1451]

​ @Archimarathon Oh I just twigged that it was the church we were talking about. There's something about these buildings that's too angular for me. It seems lacking in permanence? Thinking about it now it's hard to put my finger on it. Other buildings like it around town are the Lobby Restaurant (near Treasury & Old PH) and old kiosk building near CIT in the city & Anzac Park West APW building. Also the Red Hill lookout restaurant has similar angles to the roofline.

[@aoustenaloysious8324]

Appreciate your efforts... I am learning how to learn from you guys... Looking forward to more of it... ❤❤❤

[@Archimarathon]

Welcome to our channel

[@NovocastrianWaves]

Great video, thanks for doing that. Despite growing up there, had only driven past so definitely stopping for a look next time

[@Archimarathon]

Yes. Easy to overlook and most people would never have been inside

[@NovocastrianWaves]

Congrats on the channel - our kids refer to our family trips hunting out buildings as ‘Architorture’ I’ll suggest they subscribe

[@Archimarathon]

Haha for more architorture?

[@bondiblokeoz]

Wonderful intro to this extraordinary building which I remember personally from early 60s. Thanks. One comment on your commentary: I'd be really interested if you'd examine more closely and explain the changes to the place over time, ie, how the real-life users have adapted Grounds' original proposition. Like the awfully clumsy (tho surely necessary) air-con units, the clumsy lighting beam in the library, etc... I think of Stewart Brand's "How Buildings Learn": how the architectural vision succumbs to the rigorous of the (ummm..) real world.

[@Archimarathon]

We actually didn’t know anything prior to visiting and I only managed to get hold the original drawings a few days before the video release.

[@lachlancarmichael-whyte9174]

Check out the NOSHI art gallery in Canberra

[@Archimarathon]

Thanks. Did you mean the Nishi Gallery?

[@ethanscotney9999]

Amazing simple building with so many very interesting things, and good lessons to learn ahah. Great video, good job :) also if the afternoon light is in the back then would the morning light 9am or so be on the altar or at least close?

[@Archimarathon]

Yes it would definitely be overlooked by someone not knowing how to look. No alter is in the north and therefore the sun will always hit the back sections.

[@ethanscotney9999]

@@Archimarathon ahh guess I should have read that from the floor plans north being up hehe

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah I didn’t included it (as it was intended for merch). But yes the east and west narthex should have made sense

[@benk1844]

do you think the "sacred" quality (acoustics, light, progression, volumes that = sacred ) is achieved through triggering a sense of "returning to the womb"? The acoustics are an echo, soft with long reverbs = the muffled "underwater" sounds of being inside the womb, The warm light may be like the yellow-red quality of light that you get if you shine a light through skin, the bright light above may be like the "light at the end of the tunnel", entering light as you are born. The circulation/progression through volumes may be like the space of sanctuary inside the womb, and the linear channel as a pathway between there and the outside world?

[@Archimarathon]

Dunno. Interesting thoughts though

[@Sp33dYAU]

@@Archimarathon this is the correct answer

[@gregsparrius9576]

It feels a very homely community -minded place, and fir me it’s because the central form and light is over the congregation rather than something fancy going on over the priest/sermon/word. Also warm light, timber, quietness and floating roof brings those feelings about. I would have preferred if those white side walls were cut down with highlight glass over so the roof would seem to float more… but who am I to hassle Roy Grounds’ work from 1961. Thanks for showing us through

[@Archimarathon]

Shhh… it’s actually Frederick Romberg of Grounds Romberg and Boyd.

[@blackkookaburra6952]

Great episode. The Finnish Lutheran church is mentioned as having heritage value for the community, in a heritage nomination for the adjoining church designed by Ken Woolley.(interesting building as well). As the assessment processes are very slow both buildings have no official heritage listing status as yet but any work would need to be assessed through the heritage council. This helps retain some of the character and history of the area and preserves good design.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes we discovered the Ken Woolley designed church as well and took some footage but didn't make it into this episode. Interesting I thought I heard this church is on the ACT Heritage Registration list

[@blackkookaburra6952]

@@Archimarathon The block has only been nominated to the ACT Heritage Register. A determination has not yet been made regarding the listing of the site on the register but given its qualities I am shore it will be. I have just had the pleasure in documenting the existing and it is a fantastic example of Late Twentieth-Century Ecclesiastical style Architecture.. Lots of detail and significance in the design.

[@mapout.studio]

beautifull!

[@Archimarathon]

Thank you! Yes it's a bit of an unsung hero this one.

[@saketjawaji1557]

oooh fucking fantastic. subbed

[@Archimarathon]

Cheers

[@andgo1400]

Very appealing structure, the interior though could benefit from some cleaning and editing.

[@Sp33dYAU]

Im amazed you dont have more followers, recent content is MCM utopia!

[@Archimarathon]

Yeah I wonder that myself. Too niche as we are not just serving up archiporn?

[@RB-zm4fk]

Not very churchy, me likey! Beautiful place and functional too

[@Archimarathon]

Curious what you consider as churchy.

[@RB-zm4fk]

@@Archimarathon I'm catholic so like those churches, extremely grand and imposing which I guess was meant to symbolise what we were worshipping. Religion is a bit different in Philippines. Especially coming from a very religious family. I'm not very religious cause of it 🙃 This structure, if you are to go there for Mass would seem more of a reflection of whatever teaching was for that day. But the ceiling and light would be the only physical reference to 'god'. It's actually quite beautiful... kinda like a poem 🤭

[@matijazorko5705]

No bath scene 🙁

[@Archimarathon]

??

[@Nynke_K]

Hahaha

[@digidave77]

Wish more thought went into the AC split system placements. They stick out like an ugly sin!

[@Archimarathon]

Yes. Sadly a lot of alterations have been done to it

[@judithp8552]

😊

[@pahis1248]

well that seems like dangerous building now. :( the roof at least.

[@Archimarathon]

Why?

[@drmodestoesq]

Re: They get to congregate here...have a chat. I'm assuming you don't know much about Finns.

[@Archimarathon]

Yes I do know at lot about Finns. Andrew doesn’t