UNESCO has added 13 sites designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto to its World Heritage List. The move is a major recognition of one of Finland’s best-known architects and the lasting value of his work.

Yle News reported that the listing places Aalto’s designs within a globally protected cultural framework. World Heritage status is reserved for places considered to have outstanding significance beyond their home country.

The decision is likely to draw fresh attention to Aalto’s architecture and to the preservation of his sites. It also highlights the international reach of Finnish design and its place in modern architectural history.