Heatherwick Studio’s Soundscape project to redefine Seoul’s Nodeul Island as a vibrant public park
Heatherwick Studio has won a highly competitive global design competition, winning the opportunity to transform Seoul’s Nodeul Island into an immersive public park. The ambitious project, titled Soundscape, will turn this previously uninhabited island on the Han River into a creative landscape where art and nature converge. This transformative vision features multi-level, dramatic spaces where musical performances, artistic installations, and biodiversity thrive together in a natural and cultural sanctuary.
The Soundscape design draws heavily from the mountainous geography surrounding Seoul and the organic patterns of soundwaves, forming a unique blend that harmonizes Seoul’s dynamic cityscape with serene, nature-filled escapes. The competition’s selection process, involving a year of exhibitions, consultations, and a public vote, underscored the community’s voice in shaping this future landmark.
Heatherwick Studio founder Thomas Heatherwick noted his excitement about creating a space where people in Seoul can reconnect with nature and each other, countering the growing isolation of the digital age with a hyper-physical retreat in the city center. Heatherwick envisions Soundscape as an oasis for Seoul residents, offering a place to unwind, explore, and engage with Seoul’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Visitors to Nodeul Island will encounter a landscape that continually evolves with the shifting seasons and tides, revealing new perspectives and experiences with each visit. A ground-level arts center and public beach will welcome guests, complementing the natural riverbank reinforced with lush, eco-friendly vegetation. This dynamic landscape rises to a podium that connects to an impressive 1.2-kilometer skywalk. This elevated trail, featuring floating islets, will offer visitors a breathtaking experience as they meander through resting spots suspended above the island with panoramic views of the river and the city beyond.
Heatherwick Studio’s Neil Hubbard highlighted the studio’s commitment to developing Nodeul Island into a “creative ecosystem.” This ecosystem will blend the calm of native flora and fauna at the island’s edge with the dramatic experience of elevated, sky-high walkways. The design aims to bring the island to life, transforming it into a space buzzing with activity, and offering visitors a sense of discovery and tranquility.
As Heatherwick Studio embarks on its first South Korean project, collaboration with Seoul’s Metropolitan Government will play a crucial role in refining and realizing this vision. Construction is set to begin soon, with the project expected to open to the public in 2027. Heatherwick Studio’s footprint in Seoul is already notable, thanks to their Building Soulfulness exhibition at Culture Station Seoul 284, which drew nearly 60,000 visitors in two months in 2023. This new endeavor, Soundscape, aims to leave an enduring cultural and environmental legacy on Nodeul Island, creating an enriching public space that reflects the essence of Seoul.
All images by MIR, courtesy of Heatherwick Studio, shared with permission
Heatherwick Studio: https://heatherwick.com/
