Helsinki is set to honour the legacy of renowned architects Aino, Elissa, and Alvar Aalto with a new exhibition at the Architecture & Design Museum Helsinki, opening on 5 June 2026. The exhibition, titled "Aalto Design – Shapes of Wellbeing," explores the Aaltos' significant contribution to modernist design and architecture, focusing on the concept of wellbeing. This comes as Aalto's architecture is proposed for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising 13 buildings across Finland.
The exhibition, curated by Petteri Kummala and Jutta Tynkkynen, with Carson Chan as an adviser, delves into how the Aaltos' work promotes a holistic approach to wellbeing, balancing people, nature, and the built environment. Jutta Tynkkynen noted, "The work of the Aaltos was internationally influential in progressing modernism from strict rationalism to something more attuned to emotional and physical comfort."
Helsinki's Finlandia Hall, a key Aalto building, has been refurbished to include a permanent exhibition on the Aaltos' lives and work. This complements the museum's exhibition by focusing on the human experience of modernism. The hall now also offers short-stay flats, blending modern classics with original Aalto furniture.
Five Aalto buildings in Helsinki, including the iconic Finlandia Hall, are part of the UNESCO nomination. The final decision will be made by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in July 2026. Jukka Savolainen, Museum Director at the Alvar Aalto Foundation, emphasised the Aaltos' role in shaping Finland's welfare state, stating, "The Aaltos’ work reflects the progressive values that brought about the Finnish welfare state."
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