ICOMOS Recommends Aalto Works for UNESCO World Heritage Status –Kulttuuritalo Among the 13 Nominated Sites
15.7.2026
Kulttuuritalo is a historic event venue in Helsinki and one of the 13 buildings
included in the Aalto Works series. ICOMOS, the official advisory organisation
to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, has recommended the series for
inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Aalto Works series consists of 13 buildings and sites representing modern
architecture, each of which has a significant role in the international tradition of
modernism. Designed by Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto, the series is based on
the ideas of the Modern Movement of the 1900s and presents modernism’s
response to social needs.
One of the most significant buildings from Alvar Aalto’s red-brick period,
Kulttuuritalo is one of the buildings included in the Aalto Works series.
Originally designed as an event venue, the building now serves primarily as a
venue for public and corporate events. Nearly 400 events are held at
Kulttuuritalo each year.
”Being recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site would certainly make
Kulttuuritalo even more attractive to visitors. So far, our primary focus has
been on our event operations. We are already looking forward to developing
new initiatives that will help us better serve both domestic and international
visitors to Helsinki,” says Emilia Mikkola, CEO of Kulttuuritalo.
