Groundbreaking Ceremony for "Nodeul Global Art Island" Held on the 21st
First Major Development in 55 Years Since Recreation Area Plan Was Abandoned in the 1970s
Aerial Garden in the Sky, Floating Garden on the Water
Oh Sehoon: "Will Elevate the City's Competitiveness to the Next Level"
Nodeul Island, a representative leisure space for Seoul citizens, will be transformed into a "Global Art Island" that combines world-class exhibitions, performances, and relaxation. The plan includes the construction of an aerial garden atop concrete pillars, as well as the improvement of walkways and waterfront spaces, with a total construction cost of 370.4 billion won.
On the morning of October 21, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Nodeul Global Art Island" held at Nodeul Island in Yongsan-gu, officially announcing the start of the main construction, including the improvement of the waterfront area.
Nodeul Island is an artificial island created in 1917 during the Japanese colonial period. An attempt was made to develop it as a recreation area in the 1970s, but the plan was abandoned. In 2005, the direction shifted to developing it as the Han River Art Island with plans to build an opera house, but after a change in Seoul’s mayor, it was used as a weekend farm. In 2019, it was reorganized and operated as a "Music Island," but utilization remained low.
As part of the "Great Han River Project" underway since 2023, Seoul City plans to open not only the previously accessible western part of Nodeul Island, but also the entire ground, waterfront, and aerial spaces to the public.
The core of the plan is to maintain the existing "Nodeul Island Complex Cultural Space" while creating walking trails and a floating garden around it, completing a cultural and artistic space where nature coexists, and transforming it into a landmark enjoyed by people from around the world. In particular, an "aerial walkway" connecting east and west will feature exhibition spaces and an observatory, and the eastern forest will be developed into a multi-layered deciduous forest, transforming it into a space teeming with biodiversity.
The overall design was undertaken by Thomas Heatherwick, known as the "Leonardo da Vinci of the UK." Heatherwick is a world-renowned architect who designed London's "Rolling Bridge," New York's "Little Island," and "Vessel." Previously, Seoul City held two international competitions, a public forum, and an idea contest to maximize the appeal of Nodeul Island as the first pilot project for urban and architectural design innovation in the public sector, ultimately selecting Heatherwick's proposal as the final design.
Heatherwick’s design, "Soundscape," was inspired by the shape of Korean mountains. An aerial garden will be built atop concrete pillars and connected to an aerial bridge, transforming the area into a three-dimensional relaxation space with panoramic views of the Han River and Seoul. Under the Han River Bridge on Nodeul Island, the "Atelier Nodeul" media facade will be operated, allowing passengers on the Han River bus (Yeoui↔Jamwon) to enjoy the experience.
The construction will be divided into the "Sky Art Garden" (aerial and ground areas) and the "Waterfront Cultural Space" (platform and waterfront areas) to maximize harmony between Nodeul Island’s natural environment and the existing complex cultural space. The "Waterfront Cultural Space" is designed to provide relaxation, experiences, and a variety of attractions for both citizens and tourists, with ecological restoration and improved docking facilities. The "Sky Art Garden" will feature an aerial garden made up of seven irregularly shaped "floating petals," boasting originality and beauty. The petals will be connected by walkways, allowing anyone to enjoy the spectacular sunset and cityscape over the Han River.
The project budget is 370.4 billion won, with construction starting in October this year and completion scheduled for 2028. The construction will proceed in phases based on the floodwall standard, and sections completed ahead of schedule will be opened sequentially once safety is ensured. The waterfront area outside the floodwall will be constructed first, with the ground area inside the wall scheduled to begin construction in the middle of next year.
Mayor Oh stated, "Nodeul Island will become a new center of culture and the arts, changing our daily lives and elevating Seoul’s urban competitiveness to the next level. I will see this project through to the end so that the changes starting from Nodeul Island will expand throughout the Han River and the entire city of Seoul."
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