Aalto Centre’s police cells now part of UNESCO World Heritage

The Aalto Centre in Seinäjoki, recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, contains what are believed to be the only police cells designed by architect Alvar Aalto.

The cells, located in the former government office building which once housed the Seinäjoki police station, now serve primarily as storage spaces. A few are kept empty to allow guided tours for visitors.

Local guide Virpi Jonsson notes that while the cells lack the intricate details found elsewhere in Aalto’s work, his signature minimalist modern style is still evident. The building itself, completed in 1968, bears Aalto’s distinctive touches, including his signature in a corner and double door handles.

Though the UNESCO listing is expected to boost tourism, overnight stays in the cells remain impossible. Jonsson explains that emergency exits cannot be added to the protected structure, making accommodation unfeasible.

The police vacated the building in 2011, after which the cells were repurposed. The former courtroom now serves as a meeting space for the city council.