7 International Design Proposals Open to Citizens
'Nobel Prize of Architecture' Winner as Jury Chair
Final Selection to be Announced on the 29th at 3 PM
The design proposals for the Nodeul Island Global Art Island international competition have been unveiled to the public. According to the final design, Nodeul Island is set to become a representative 'landmark' of Seoul, forming a triangular axis with the Yongsan International Business District and Yeouido District.
On the 28th at 9:30 a.m., Seoul City held a public review presentation for the selection of the 'Nodeul Global Art Island' design proposals at City Hall, attended by Mayor Oh Se-hoon, citizens, and over 400 experts. At the event, Mayor Oh stated, "Nodeul Island, located in the middle of the Han River, will form a triangular axis with the Yongsan International Business District, which will serve as the heart of South Korea's economic growth, and Yeouido District, which is being developed as an international financial hub. The design proposal decided today will become another iconic work representing Seoul."
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is delivering a greeting at the 'Nodeulseom International Naming Design Competition Public Review' held at 9:30 a.m. on the 28th in the City Hall Multipurpose Hall. Photo by Seoul City
Earlier, in April last year, the city established a project plan based on ideas submitted by domestic and international architects and launched an international design competition in February this year. At the presentation, seven architects participating in the international design competition introduced their design proposals directly, followed by a Q&A session with the judges. The judging panel was chaired by architect Tom Main, a Pritzker Prize laureate often called the Nobel Prize of architecture, and included seven members: Ben van Berkel, CEO of UNStudio; Professor Choi Moon-kyu of Yonsei University; Professor Jung Hyun-tae of New York Institute of Technology; CEO Lee Jung-hoon of Joho Architects; Director Jo Yong-jun of CA Landscape Architecture Office; and Professor Kim Yong-hwa of Korea National University of Arts.
The first presenter, architect Kim Chan-jung of The System Lab, proposed 'Sharing Nodeul,' which maximizes the potential of density and responds to worsening urban climate by utilizing gently sloped mounds filled with soil to create three-dimensional spatial expansion. Next, Bjarke Ingels pointed to 'disconnection' as the reason why Nodeul Island, located at the center of Seoul, has not developed into a landmark. Through 'The Ripples,' he proposed activating the space by combining the city and the island and using diverse canopy structures.
Architects Na Eun-jung and Yoo So-rae of Nameless Architects presented a vision under the theme 'Breath,' aiming to make Nodeul Island a lung of the city that connects Seoul's past, present, and future. Their design proposal continuously reconfigures the terrain and aquatic environment to create an integrated ecosystem for the entire island and actively incorporates natural circulation systems.
J?rgen Mayer introduced a design for Nodeul Art Island featuring cloud-like structures that blend art and natural spaces. He emphasized harmonious unity with citizens' daily lives in the creation of facilities and structures such as cultural centers, skywalks, and observation decks. The team of Kang Ye-rin and Lee Chi-hoon (SoA) presented under the theme 'Nodeul Promenade Ring: A Circulatory Loop for One Island.' They planned Nodeul Island as an ecological park naturalized at the boundary where it meets the Han River, proposing strategies such as an integrated pedestrian system, re-naturalization of the artificial island, and connections between the ground and podium levels.
Thomas Heatherwick proposed 'SOUNDSCAPE,' envisioning Nodeul Island as a place where Seoul's culture and energy can be felt. His core design element was the 'Skywalk Canopy,' inspired by patterns generated from natural sounds and live music, combined with dramatic spaces of varying heights. Architect Shin Seung-soo of Design Group OZ presented under the title 'One Stage: A Connected Island, Always a Stage.' Shin introduced Nodeul Island as a stage surrounded by gardens created by citizens, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul.
During the Q&A session following the design presentations, detailed questions were raised regarding the sources of inspiration for the designs, alignment with the resources allocated to the project, sustainability, and feasibility.
The final design will be announced on the 29th at 3 p.m., after a separate review by the judges concludes on the afternoon of the 28th.
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