Heatherwick Studio’s Largest Exhibition in Korea is Currently On View Until September 6

Do You Know Thomas Heatherwick?

Thomas Heatherwick is the world-renowned architect and designer from London.

Thomas Heatherwick has been researching sustainability and meaning in architecture for over 30 years, and has curated the ‘Soom Project’ in collaboration with the Mori Art Center in Tokyo.

It is now open to public at Seoul’s historic Culture Station Seoul 284.

‘Heatherwick Studio: Building Soulfulness’ Exhibition Information

The exhibition is on view through September 6, 2023.
Tickets are available for all ages. (20,000 Korean won for adults, 5,000 to 10,000 Korean won for students). Tickets can be purchased on the Interpark site, or in advance at the door.

Showtimes : Closed Mondays, Tue,Thu,Sat,Sun : 11:00-19:00, Wed,Fri : 11:00-22:00

• Thomas Heatherwick, a British architect and designer, has suggested converting Nodeul Island in Seoul’s Han River into a festival for Korean music.

• In an exhibition at Culture Station Seoul 284, Heatherwick’s studio highlights 30 significant work from the previous three decades.

Heatherwick Studio’s Project on Seoul : The Nodeul Island (노들섬)

Heatherwick became even more famous for the Nodeul Island Project in South Korea. Seoul’s Nodeul Island held a design competition to transform it into an “art island full of nature, art, and unique experiences” and revealed seven designs, one of which was by Thomas Heatherwick.

The Thomas Hedgewick team chose ‘Soundscape‘ as the theme for the island, proposing a shelter in the middle of the Seoul city where visitors would be inspired by its unique exterior, and where the interior would provide an unforgettable experience with spaces for music, relaxation, and contemplation. Architecturally, they proposed a musical panorama floating above Nodeul Island, and the design of the various curved structures, which are shaped like images of Korean mountains, creates a sense of mystery.

The winding walkway on the upper part allows for a variety of experiences through changes in height and width, while the lower part of the structure provides multi-purpose activity spaces, including shelters, performance venues, and practice areas.

Have You Heard About the Nodeul Island?

Nodeul Island (노들섬) is an island in the Han River in Seoul, South Korea.

It is located between Dongjak and Yongsan districts, and the Han River Bridge passes through the island.

Nodeul Island was originally a wide white sandy beach attached to the Ichon-dong neighborhood of Yongsan district in Seoul, but it was created as an artificial island in 1917 by building stone pillars on the dunes when an iron footbridge was built to connect Ichondong and Noryangjin during the Japanese occupation.

Later, the city of Seoul purchased the Island to build an Opera House, but the plan fell through due to the city’s debt. There were also concerns about the safety of building a large structure on the island.

Since then, there has been a movement to rebuild the island into a music-based cultural center, but the design has been criticized.

Then, in February, 2023, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon announced the ‘Urban and Architectural Design Innovation Plan’ and announced that the public sector design innovation pilot project would be applied to Nodle Island for the first time. In short, it’s the first time to excute “design first, administration second” approach.