NEW YORK, July 9 (Xinhua) -- The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City, often referred to as The Guggenheim, has been added to UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The museum is among eight buildings in the United States that were inscribed on the list under the title of The 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. The announcement was made during the 43rd Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Baku, Azerbaijan from June 30 to July 10.
Located on Fifth Avenue, The Guggenheim has been a major attraction of the city since its completion in 1959 for its unique cylindrical design. It was recognized as a New York City Landmark in 1990 and a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2008.
"These buildings reflect the 'organic architecture' developed by Wright, which includes an open plan, a blurring of the boundaries between exterior and interior and the unprecedented use of materials such as steel and concrete," said the UNESCO statement.
Wright, who was born in the U.S. state of Wisconsin in 1867, completed more than 500 projects around the world during his 91 years of life.
Stuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, said that it is "an immense honor" to have Wright's work "recognized on the world stage among the most vital and important cultural sites on Earth like Taj Mahal in India, the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt and the Statue of Liberty in New York," according to a statement following the announcement on Sunday.
"These sites are not simply World Heritage monuments because they are beautiful. It's so much more than that. These are places of profound influence, inspiration, and connection," said Graff.
The other listed works of Wright's include Fallingwater in the state of Pennsylvania, the Taliesin estate and the Herbert and Katherine Jacobs House in Wisconsin, the Taliesin West in Arizona, the Unity Temple and the Frederick C. Robie House in Illinois, and the Hollyhock House in California.
