Architecture report: letter from South Korea

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park perspective view.
Silver Shack: narrow alley view. Photography by Park Wansoon
(Image credit: Park Wansoon)

Since becoming the center of Asia's fourth strongest economy, Seoul's Government has refreshed the lackluster appearance of the city through supporting private investment and funding projects of metropolitan beautification - anything to escape the monotonous apartment-block aesthetic it was notorious for. As a result, contemporary Seoul is embracing the benefits, hosting competitions that are bringing the biggest names in international design, architecture and municipal planning to transform this ancient city into a magnetic urban metropolis. Being designated World Design Capital 2010 hasn't hurt, either.

Structures such as the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul National University Museum and moveable installation, the Prada Transformer, designed by Rem Koolhaas, have achieved international recognition. Most recently, Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park, by Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher, have been core projects of WDC Seoul.

The Yongsan IBD Dream Hub

Unveiled at MIPIM 2010, the Yongsan IBD Dream Hub, will be connected to the newest green space ‘Seoul Central Park', while the Han River Renaissance project will be another marker in the design community, featuring the Yongsan International Terminal linking Seoul to ports in China, Hong Kong and Japan. Art Island will house a concert hall, an opera theatre and a multicultural performing space that hopes to rival the Sydney Opera House. Attention is not being denied to Seoul’s historically relevant buildings either with Old Seoul Station currently undergoing a highly anticipated renovation.

Smaller, avant-garde design firms are also rising to prominence in what is still a very conservative society. They offer bolder individuals the chance to create buildings that stand out in the city landscape, like ChaePereira Architects, who cater to enterprising clients that are starting to appreciate a personalized approach to design.

So was 2010 the year that Seoul emerged as a potent force in international design? By embracing current architectural innovation, the city's remodelling job is intended to lure visitors who were previously unaware of its contemporary urban charms.

Silver Shack exterior

Silver Shack in Sangsu-dong, by ChaePereira architects.

(Image credit: Park Wansoon)

Steel Lady in the Itaewon-dong neighbourhood

Steel Lady in the Itaewon-dong neighbourhood by ChaePereira architects.

(Image credit: Park Wansoon)

Steel Lady in the Itaewon-dong neighbourhood

Steel Lady in the Itaewon-dong neighbourhood by ChaePereira architects.

(Image credit: Park Wansoon)

Steel Lady exterior

Steel Lady in the Itaewon-dong neighbourhood by ChaePereira architects

(Image credit: Park Wansoon)

city aerial view

(Image credit: press)

Outside the Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park construction zone

Outside the Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park construction zone

(Image credit: press)

Information Centre billboard outside construction zone

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park Information Centre billboard outside construction zone

(Image credit: press)

A view of Dongdaemoon gate

A view of Dongdaemoon gate in the distance from the construction zone

(Image credit: press)

Information Centre overlooking construction site

Information Centre overlooking construction site

(Image credit: press)

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park bird’s eye view.

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park bird’s eye view. 

(Image credit: Courtesy of Seoul Design)

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park perspective view.

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park perspective view. Courtesy of Seoul Design

(Image credit: Courtesy of Seoul Design)

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park Information Centre sign

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park Information Centre sign

(Image credit: press)

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park interior view of exhibition.

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park interior view of exhibition.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation)

Night view of the Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park exterior

Night view of the Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park exterior.

(Image credit: Courtesy of Seoul Design Foundation)

Night view of entrance to Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park

Night view of entrance to Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park

(Image credit: press)

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park Relic Area

Dongdaemoon Design Plaza and Park Relic Area

(Image credit: press)

Dongdaemoon Stadium Memorial building

Dongdaemoon Stadium Memorial building

(Image credit: press)

Aerial view of the Prada Transformer

Aerial view of the Prada Transformer by OMA

(Image credit: OMA)

Inside the Prada Transformer

Inside the Prada Transformer by OMA

(Image credit: OMA)

Prada Transformer at night

The Prada Transformer by OMA at night

(Image credit: OMA)

Prada Transformer

The Prada Transformer by OMA

(Image credit: OMA)

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

(Image credit: press)

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

(Image credit: press)

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

(Image credit: press)

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

(Image credit: press)

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

Leeum Samsung Museum of Art

(Image credit: press)

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD masterplan

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD, masterplan by Daniel Libeskind

(Image credit: Daniel Libeskind)

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD aerial view

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD, masterplan by Daniel Libeskind

(Image credit: Daniel Libeskind)

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD interiors

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD, masterplan by Daniel Libeskind

(Image credit: Daniel Libeskind)

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD

Dream Hub Yongsan IBD, masterplan by Daniel Libeskind

(Image credit: Daniel Libeskind)