Alvar Aalto’s buildings added to UNESCO World Heritage List

Aalto's architecture, with its characteristic clean and austere lines, was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List on Sunday.

According to UNESCO, the designated buildings reflect modernism, the development of the Finnish welfare state and a humanistic perspective. UNESCO also recognises the major role that Aalto's partner Aino Aalto, and later Elissa Aalto, played in designing the architecture.

"This is a clear sign that Aalto's life's work is seen as important, not only from a national perspective," says Tommi Lindh, CEO of the Alvar Aalto Foundation, in a press release.