Heatherwick Studio has unveiled its design for the Daegyo Apartments redevelopment in Seoul, South Korea. The project aims to transform four 1975 residential buildings into a distinctive and appealing complex with around 900 new homes, a sky garden, and community facilities. The design draws inspiration from natural forms, with undulating rooflines echoing the surrounding mountains.
The project is a community-led redevelopment, with input from over 600 union members. It features stepped gardens, sheltered walkways, and sunken courtyards, shielding the development from surrounding traffic. Stuart Wood from Heatherwick Studio emphasizes the need for change in Seoul’s apartment living, moving away from “anonymous high-rise blocks”.
Thomas Heatherwick presented the design to the Yeouido Daegyo Residents’ Union, highlighting the studio’s pursuit of originality. The design is based on a 2025 Humanise Campaign study, where 97% of Seoul residents described current apartment complexes negatively.
Key Highlights of the Project:
– Location: Yeouido, Seoul, South Korea
– Existing Units: 576 (completed in 1975)
– New Homes: Approximately 900
– Features: Sky garden, community facilities, stepped gardens, sheltered walkways, sunken courtyards
– Design Inspiration: Natural forms and surrounding mountains
