The Sunila residential area in Kotka, designed by Alvar Aalto, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of the 13 landmark list. Sunila is one of the most extensive projects of architect Alvar Aalto’s career. The area combines Aalto’s architecture, the history of the forest industry and Finnish working life, and a close connection to nature. Sunila is also an important part of the national and international story of the birth of the Finnish welfare state