"Silence was the starting point for the architects," says Tarja Jalli, manager of the chapel.

Noise isn't the only thing missing from the urban chapel built as a space for retreat. The dressed-down place of worship also lacks powerful religious symbols. A lone silver cross sits above the altar at this church. 

Jalli says people are welcome to walk in and sit for as long as they wish. Parish and city social workers are on hand to talk to stressed-out city-dwellers in the curved wooden structure.

"Many people want to discuss things related to letting go – of health, relationships," explains Jalli, adding that the threshold for walking in is very low.

The chapel is open weekdays from 7am–8pm and on weekends from 10am–6pm. The 11.5-metre high building measures 270 square metres and houses an information lounge as well as spaces for private discussions.

Designed by K2S Architects in Helsinki, the chapel design was awarded with the Chicago Athenaeum International Architecture Award 2010.