The block includes buildings that are architecturally and historically notable and important to the cityscape, which is why they will be protected. In addition to this, the courtyard environment will be improved. The block will continue to be used by the Deaconess Foundation.
The Helsinki Deaconess Institute, the first of its kind in Finland, was established in 1867 in Katajanokka, Helsinki. In line with its original German counterpart, the small epidemic hospital with eight beds was used to treat the sick, train deaconesses, help the poor and take care of homeless children.
The architectural history of the current Deaconess Institute block can be considered to have started when the Institute was granted its own plot south of the rocks in Eläintarha. At the initiative of the wealthy philanthropist Aurora Karamzin, the year 1897 saw the construction of a hospital designed by Architect Magnus Schjerfbeck and a church and a sister’s home designed by Architect Karl-August Wrede on the plot. The buildings are examples of Gothic Revival architecture and part of the nationally significant built cultural environment ”Eläintarhan huvilat ja yleishyödylliset laitokset” (“Villas and public utilities of Eläintarha”). The block is privately owned.
In less than 160 years, the modest sisters' home has become a non-profit social foundation group that boldly works for human dignity while renewing society. The non-profit operations of the Deaconess Foundation support those in the most vulnerable situations.
The Deaconess Foundation also owns the social enterprise Rinnekodit, which provides effective health and social services for people in need of special support. In addition to this, the foundation group is involved in training activities. The Deaconess Foundation is a nationwide operator and a responsible workplace for 3,400 professionals.
At present, the block houses the headquarters of the Deaconess Foundation and Rinnekodit and Rinnekodit housing services for the elderly, people with intellectual disabilities and the homeless. In addition to these, the block houses the Helsinki campus of the Diakonia College of Finland.
The participation and evaluation plan and the preliminary reference plan together with associated documentation are available for viewing from 17 March to 7 April 2025 on the website www.hel.fi/suunnitelmat (in Finnish).
Read the plans and take part in the plan walk on Tuesday 25 March at 17:00–18:30 in the Helsinki Deaconess Institute block.
