Heatherwick Studio has won a global competition to transform an artificial island on the Han River in the centre of Seoul into a new public park.
The project, called Soundscape, creates a trail of dramatic spaces on different levels that can host musical performances and artistic interventions in a beautiful, biodiverse landscape. The design draws inspiration from Seoul’s mountainous terrain and the patterns created by soundwaves and was selected following a year-long series of exhibitions, consultations, and a public vote.
Thomas Heatherwick, the founder and design director of Heatherwick Studio, said:
“I am thrilled that Soundscape has been chosen by the people of Seoul. In this hyper-digital age, we’ve had so many amazing innovations in the way people live but there has also been an increasing sense of loneliness and isolation. We want to make a hyper-physical place that reconnects Seoulites with nature, culture and, most importantly, with each other.
Nodeul Island will give everyone an amazing excuse to escape and embrace the city. A landscape that bends and folds like soundwaves will combine with a new nature-rich waterfront and offer people a place to discover and express the culture of Seoul. We look forward to working with the Metropolitan Government to realise all their bold ambitions for this site.”
Stepping onto the island, visitors will move through a landscape which evolves as the tides and seasons change. At ground level, there will be an arts centre and a public beach. Rather than demolishing the existing artificial landscape, the design will strengthen the riverbanks with soft, naturalistic planting. The landscape will then rise to an events podium which connects to a dramatic 1.2km skywalk. This trail will be formed of a series of small, floating islets, held in the air, providing resting spaces with spectacular views across the island and the river back to Seoul.
Neil Hubbard, group leader and partner at Heatherwick Studio, said:
“We’ve been really intrigued by how new interventions can bring Nodeul Island to life. It’s not just about an exciting new aerial canopy, but developing a whole creative ecosystem, where spaces above and below the floating landscape are buzzing with activity. Upon first discovering a serene, restful island where the landscape focuses on native flora and fauna the visitors will then wander up from the water’s edge to experience drama and harmonies in the sky. Soundscape will be a gateway and a getaway worthy of the energy and life of Seoul.”
Nodeul Island will be Heatherwick studio’s first project in South Korea to go into construction. The studio will now start work with the Metropolitan Government on the next stages of design, and visitors should be able to enjoy the new Nodeul Island in 2027.
In 2023, the studio curated a retrospective exhibition called Building Soulfulness at the Culture Station Seoul 284 which attracted almost 60,000 visitors in just 60 days.
Images: Mir
