Heatherwick Studio has unveiled its design for the transformation of the Daegyo Apartments in Yeouido, Seoul. Thomas Heatherwick, founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio, presented the scheme to the Residents’ Union today at a meeting of their General Assembly (28 February 2026).
Located near Hangang Park along the Han River, the redevelopment will replace 576 existing units, completed in 1975, with approximately 900 new homes. The project will be the studio’s first residential development in South Korea, and feature four residential buildings, a sky garden and a generous ground floor space, open to both residents and the public.
In contrast to the sterile style of many high-rise apartments commonly seen in cities around the world, the design draws inspiration from natural forms. The undulating rooflines of the buildings echo the soft silhouettes of the mountains surrounding Seoul.
The redevelopment will also provide a wide range of community facilities, from children’s play areas and sports amenities to welfare services for older residents. But it’s at the ground level where the building will really come alive. The landscape with its stepped gardens, sheltered walkways and sunken courtyards will offer moments of respite and surprise, and shield the development from surrounding traffic by lifting portions of the site edges.
Ms Heesun Chung, Chairperson of the Yeouido Daegyo Apartment Redevelopment Association, said:
“We’re excited about how this development will improve the daily lives of residents. This vision reflects the contributions of more than 600 union members, and the design unveiled today is the result of that collaborative effort. We hope Daegyo becomes a significant chapter in Heatherwick Studio’s residential work in Korea – a place that lasts and is loved for generations.”
Stuart Wood, Executive Partner at Heatherwick Studio, added:
“We want this design to spark a fundamental rethink of how apartment living in Seoul should look, feel, and support everyday life. For too long, residents have had to accept endless repetitions of anonymous high-rise blocks. The need for change is now unmistakable. We believe people are ready for places that are more soulful, more unique, and deeply human.”
A Humanise Campaign study last year surveyed 1,000 Seoul residents, who said they prefer homes that feel distinctive, textured and cared‑for. Ninety-seven per cent of the respondents described current apartment complex buildings negatively. They are seen to be boring and soulless, evoking strong negative reactions – residents say the monotonous style creates a suffocating feeling.
Daegyo is Heatherwick Studio’s latest design in a growing portfolio of South Korean projects. The studio is also working on the redesign of Nodeul Island, the Hanwha Galleria shopping complex, and the CoEx Convention Centre in Seoul. Thomas Heatherwick was the General Director of the fifth Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism in 2025 which attracted a record 811,000 visitors.
Images: Devisual
