Take a grand tour of Seoul’s accelerating architecture scene

Lotte World Tower
Seoul is undergoing an urban and architectural transformation. Pictured here, one of the South Korean capital’s latest high rises, Lotte World Tower.
(Image credit: Lotte Group)

The economy in the South Korean capital of Seoul has been booming for decades. With that, the infrastructure and architecture has blossomed too, swiftly becoming world-class. The country has entered a modern-day ‘golden age', with the city undergoing one of the fastest and largest transformations in the world, creating new and exciting opportunities for the urban landscape. 

Explore Seoul’s expansion from every vantage point: from the crowded streets that seem to curve around the urban structures to the juxtaposition of traditional Korean hanoks with the fifth tallest skyscraper in the world (Lotte World Tower) completed last year. Seoul is a dynamic city of change.

david chipperfied designs amorepacific hq

David Chipperfield's Amorepacific headquarters is one of the capital's most eye-catching, state-of-the-art workspaces.

(Image credit: Noshe)

This is the second largest national capital area in the world at 223.7 square miles; containing within it plenty of architectural wonders. Old and new, tradition and modernity coexist. This is a country famous for its technological advances. Sustainability is also high on the agenda, with architectural examples such as Morphosis Architects' environmentally-friendly Kolon One & Only Tower leading the way.

At the same time, South Korea is renowned for valuing beauty and luxury fashion. The former manifested in the K-beauty phenomenon that has been sweeping the global marketplace for the past decade, with the country's obsession with skincare and grooming resulting in exciting new brands. This is reflected architecturally by additions such as David Chipperfield's Amorepacific headquarters.

Seoul’s belief and investment in architectural advances can also clearly be seen in the recent and upcoming plans for its sprawling urban landscape. Read on to discover more about the metropolis' ever-expanding skyline.

Inside Lotte World Tower kpf

Lotte World Tower by KPF 
A sleek, supertall South Korean masterpiece – the Lotte World Tower – is the fifth largest skyscraper in the world. It was completed last year at 123 floors and 555 metres tall the structure boasts a 7-star hotel, luxury apartments, business space, an observation deck, and a rooftop cafe.

(Image credit: Tim Griffith)

Lotte World Tower by KPF A sleek, supertall South Korean masterpiece – the Lotte World Tower – is the fifth largest skyscraper in the world. It was completed last year at 123 floors and 555 metres tall the structure boasts a 7-star hotel, luxury apartments, business space, an observation deck, and a rooftop cafe.

Amorepacific HQ by David Chipperfield Architects
The recently completed headquarters for Korea’s largest beauty company, Amorepacific, is both abstract and gestural. 

(Image credit: Noshe)

amorepacific by Chipperfield Architecture

Amorepacific HQ by David Chipperfield Architects
Its design’s ambition is to create a public space alongside the business centre for Amorepacific by incorporating amenities such as a museum, auditorium, library, restaurants and childcare facilities.

(Image credit: David Chipperfield Architects)

kolon one by morphosis architects

Kolon One & Only Tower by Morphosis Architects 
The holistic concept for Kolon One & Only Tower encompasses energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship, working in concert with education and employee health and well-being. The western facade creates a dramatic appearance to the tower whilst thoughtfully balancing views and shade for the interior of the structure.

(Image credit: Jasmine Park, courtesy of Morphosis Architects)

kolon one morphosis

Kolon One & Only Tower by Morphosis Architects
This recently completed campus for The Kolon Group allows space for collaboration and innovation.

(Image credit: Roland Halbe, courtesy of Morphosis Architects)

CJ Blossom Park by CannonDesign

CJ Blossom Park by CannonDesign
CJ Blossom Park creates an inspiring and playful workplace to host the various aspects and needs of the CJ Corporation’s businesses in one campus.

(Image credit: TBC)

CJ Blossom Park CannonDesign

CJ Blossom Park by CannonDesign
Hosting 900 researchers and 750,000sq ft of research space, CJ Blossom Park has integrated great design to help increase the company’s global competitiveness.

(Image credit: TBC)

Simple House by Moon Hoon

Simple House by Moon Hoon
Reinforced concrete beams support massive concrete boxes stacked on top of one another to create a stunning visual appearance to this modern house. Floor-to-ceiling windows flank each side of the levels to capture the light throughout the day. 

(Image credit: TBC)

Simple House by Moon Hoon

Simple House by Moon Hoon
The distinctive design of this home creates an expressive living space from the moment you enter through the door right up to the rooftop terrace.

(Image credit: TBC)

Unicity by D-Werker Architects

Unicity by D-Werker Architects 
Completed in 2017, the Unicity project adds unique geometry to the Seoul skyline. It is the headquarters and research centre of cosmetics company Carver Korea.

(Image credit: TBC)

Unicity by D-Werker Architects

Unicity by D-Werker Architects 
The architects cleverly designed Unicity to include outdoor space on each floor, to counteract the lack of green space in the surrounding area, while granting visual excitement that jars against the ordinary urban environment.

(Image credit: TBC)

Wandering in the clouds by CAA

Wandering In The Clouds by CAA  
Inspired by the Taoist teaching of ‘Yi,’ this concept for Seoul creates a metaphorical cloud depicted in East Asian ancient fine art through a series of bridges and buildings.

(Image credit: TBC)

Wandering in the clouds

Wandering In The Clouds by CAA  
The design would include museum space, memorial gardens, and an arts and cultural centre while embracing the surrounding sacred South Korean mountain. 

(Image credit: TBC)

Namdeamun Office Building by Mecanoo Architects

Namdaemun Tower by Mecanoo Architects
Namdaemun Tower is an office high rise located next to the vastly popular Namdaemun Market which is the oldest and largest market in South Korea.

(Image credit: Kyungsub Shin)

Namdeamun Office Building by Mecanoo Architects

Namdaemun Tower by Mecanoo Architects
The market’s rich history and traditions were carefully considered when designing the restrained monochromatic tower. The architects wished to communicate the passing of time with its facade in relation to its location.

(Image credit: Kyungsub Shin)

Peace and Cultural Center by CORE architects

Peace and Cultural Center by CoRe Architects 
A former defense structure used by the military has been masterfully transformed into a Peace and Culture center for the public to use as a creative hub.

(Image credit: Hwang Hwochel)

Peace and Cultural Center by CoRe Architects A former defense structure used by the military has been masterfully transformed into a Peace and Culture center for the public to use as a creative hub.

Peace and Cultural Center by CoRe Architects 
CoRe Architects decided to keep the existing structure of the military bunker, adding steel and wood elements to create an inspiring creative facility.

(Image credit: Hwang Hwochel)

seoullo 7017 skygarden by mvrdv

Seoullo 7017 Skygarden by MVRDV
Dutch practice MVRDV has transformed a disused overpass into a pedestrian promenade and ‘urban nursery’, rearing trees for the surrounding districts.

(Image credit: Ossip)

seoullo 7017 skygarden by mvrdv

Seoullo 7017 Skygarden by MVRDV
Launched in 2017, Seoullo was designed to be as green as possible, providing a breath of fresh air for its locale, as well as a means to further connect different parts of town – a little like New York’s High Line.

(Image credit: Ossip)

Seoninjang by studio minorormajor

Seoninjang by Studio Minorormajor 
Studio Minorormajor has given a collection of abandoned warehouses the second chance at a new life with a proposed public space. 

(Image credit: TBC)

Seoninjang by studio minorormajor

Seoninjang by Studio Minorormajor 
Seoninjang, translating to ’cactus’ in english, uses the desert plant as inspiration to create a vibrant and organic cafe/lounge/studio/gallery space.

(Image credit: TBC)

Start-up center Seoul by ensemble studio

Start-up Center Seoul by Ensamble Studio 
The purpose of this forthcoming project is to build a state-of-the-art platform for living, working and learning.

(Image credit: TBC)

Start-up center Seoul by ensemble studio

Start-up Center Seoul by Ensamble Studio 
With hopes to regenerate the Changdong-Sanggye area of Seoul, Ensamble Studio aims to provide smooth transition between context and internal activities, provoking enriching synergies for the users and the wider area.

(Image credit: TBC)

lie sangbong headquarters seoul

Lie Sangbong HQ by Unsangdong
Local architects Unsangdong have transformed an existing building into a state-of-the-art headquarters for celebrated South Korean fashion designer Lie Sangbong.

(Image credit: Kim Jaeyoon)

lie sangbong headquarters seoul

Lie Sangbong HQ by Unsangdong
The tall, slim building includes offices, showrooms and a multipurpose space for events; as well as a set of contemporary residences.

(Image credit: Kim Jaeyoon)
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