This inspiring hub provides an important link between the contemporary culture, historic artefacts and emerging nature at the centre of Dongdaemun, Seoul.
A learning resource for designers and members of the public combined with an urban oasis for leisure, relaxation and refuge, its continuous landscape promotes fluid thinking across all design disciplines.
"Our aim was to establish a cultural hub at the centre of one of the busiest and most historic districts of the city – and to bring delight and inspiration to the people of Seoul".
The design was governed by the belief that architecture should enable people to think beyond existing boundaries, in order to reach innovative solutions.
The form of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park revolves around the ancient city wall, which forms the central element of the composition that physically links the park and plaza together, while our fluid design language encourages the greatest degree of interaction between the plaza and the public.
The design integrates the park and plaza seamlessly as one landscape element, blurring the boundary between architecture and nature and transforming Seoul into a greener city by folding into the shopping and dining areas below.
Numerous voids, undulations and depressions give park visitors glimpses into an innovative world of design.
The 85,000 square metre plaza comprises a design museum, library and educational facilities, whilst the 30,000 square metre park reinterprets elements of traditional Korean garden design: reflecting pools, lotus ponds, pebble beds and bamboo groves – with no single feature dominating the perspective.
This approach is informed by local painting traditions depicting grand visions of the ever-changing aspects of nature.
Seoul looks to welcome 10.8 million of tourists this year, requesting some 43,000 hotel rooms to accommodate this flow. Unfortunately, only 28,900 rooms are currently available, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, forcing Japanese and Chinese travellers to sleep in motels in the city’s outskirt.
Among other investors, Lotte Hotel plans to open three business hotels throughout Seoul until 2015 in the districts of Cheongnyangni, Seocho-dong and Myeong-dong.
JW Marriott is due to inaugurate a property before the end of the year next to the future Seoul Dongdaemun Plaza, in the city centre. The hotel will have 16 floors and 170 rooms.
Location: Seoul, South KoreaArchitect: Zaha Hadid architects Building: 85,000m² Site: 65,000m² Park: 30,000m² Year: 2007 – 2013 Status: Under Construction Client: Seoul Metropolitan Government