Gangbuk-gu Expands Free Design Consulting to Private Buildings

Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) will expand the 'Design Clinic' project to the private sector starting this year for systematic management of urban landscapes. The plan is to enhance the effectiveness of the project and elevate the urban quality of Gangbuk-gu by extending design consulting, which was previously limited to public facilities, to private buildings as well.

A view of Gangbuk District Office. Provided by Gangbuk District Office.

Since 2023, Gangbuk-gu has been implementing the Design Clinic project annually. This project is a service that connects design experts one-on-one to provide consulting on design matters from planning to completion. The main targets were public facilities and sculptures. Starting this year, design support for the facades of private buildings will also be available upon request.

Additionally, short-term and on-demand consultations in the public design sector will be strengthened to improve effectiveness. Previously, consultations were only possible for public design review subjects from planning to completion, but going forward, small-scale design requests will be promptly addressed through a one-point clinic approach. Detailed design items include leaflets, floor guides, and more.

Based on the private building guidelines established in April last year, Gangbuk-gu has significantly expanded the scope of the Design Clinic. In addition to existing public facilities, general buildings and low-rise and specialized areas (Dobong-ro, areas where height restrictions around Bukhansan were lifted, Uicheon waterfront, and the 4.19 Street area) are included to provide facade design consulting for private buildings.

The private sector consulting targets all private buildings planned for construction within Gangbuk-gu, offering rapid service from the planning stage or before basic design completion up to before permit (report) processing. One-on-one free consulting and feedback will be provided on facade form, materials, colors, including building windows, exterior wall materials, and lighting.

In particular, this improvement has further strengthened expertise by newly utilizing Gangbuk-gu Public Design Promotion Committee members, Architecture Committee members, and external advisors. Through this, customized designs considering the characteristics of buildings and surrounding environments will be provided, contributing to more systematic management of building exteriors within Gangbuk-gu and enhancing the urban aesthetics.

The Design Clinic project targets building owners and related parties within Gangbuk-gu. Applications can be submitted by visiting the Architecture Division of Gangbuk-gu Office or by downloading the application form from the Gangbuk-gu Office website (Gangbuk Introduction - Gangbuk News - Announcements), filling it out, and sending it to the 담당 email (dotori1234@gangbuk.go.kr). The application must include the project overview, related plans, location map, and photos of the site and surrounding scenery.

Mayor Lee Soon-hee stated, "Through this project expansion, we will improve the design quality of both public and private sectors to enhance urban competitiveness," and added, "We look forward to active participation from many residents and building stakeholders."