Finland proposes group of buildings designed by Aalto architects as UNESCO World Heritage Site

Finland has nominated a series of 13 properties designed by architect Alvar Aalto's office for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The properties, named "Aalto Works", represent Aalto's modern and humane architecture. At the request of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Finnish Heritage Agency has drawn up a nomination proposal, working together with Alvar Aalto Foundation and the stakeholders of the architectural sites.

The properties included in Aalto Works are Aalto Atelier, Aalto House, Finlandia Hall, the Social Insurance Institution Main Office and the House of Culture in Helsinki; Aalto Campus, Muuratsalo Experimental House and Säynätsalo Town Hall in Jyväskylä; Paimio Sanatorium; Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki; Sunila Housing Area in Kotka; Villa Mairea in Pori; and the Church of the Three Crosses in Imatra.

Finland's nomination responds to the UNESCO Global Strategy objective to broaden the World Heritage List with 20th century architectural sites. The proposal for the serial nomination argues that Aalto's modern architecture and urban planning have an impact on society, for example equality and wellbeing. Minister of Science and Culture Sari Multala has signed Finland's nomination.

"The Aalto architecture is of global interest, and the buildings have become popular cultural tourist destinations. The 13 properties nominated for the World Heritage List are an excellent example of the role which Aalto's diverse architecture played in building Finnish society," says Multala 

The objective of the World Heritage Convention, or the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, is to preserve and manage cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value that form part of the common heritage of humankind. The World Heritage Convention includes a World Heritage List, which currently contains 1,223 sites. Seven sites in Finland have been inscribed on the list. 

The World Heritage Committee will decide in mid-2026 whether the serial properties will be included in the list.

Inquiries:
-    Mirva Mattila, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Cultural Affairs (Ministry of Education and Culture), tel. +358 295 330 269, [email protected]
-   Niina Svartström, project Manager, (The Finnish Heritage Agency), tel 0295336227, [email protected] (until 31 Jan 2025)
-    Stefan Wessman, Senior Adviser (The Finnish Heritage Agency), tel. +358 295 336 256, [email protected] (from 1 Feb 2025)
-    Jonas Malmberg,  senior architect (Alvar Aalto Foundation), tel. 040567560
-    Photos and materials (The Finnish Heritage Agency, in Finnish)