UNStudio, in partnership with Arup Architects and local firm Heerim Architecture, has revealed the “Peace Park Wheel” project. Set to become a landmark in Seoul’s Upper Rock World Cup Park, UNStudio won the preliminary competition and will collaborate with Seoul Housing & Community Corporation on this ambitious Ferris wheel design. The project aligns with the mayor’s vision of “Thousand Sunsets on the Han River,” which aims to create numerous public spaces along the Han River for urban residents.
The design features a 180-meter-tall binocular Ferris wheel located adjacent to the World Cup Stadium on the Han River’s banks. Its unique structure consists of overlapping circular rings that carry pods moving along both inner and outer orbits. The Ferris wheel will have 64 pods, each accommodating 20–25 passengers. With a total capacity of roughly 1,400 people at once, it will be twice the size of the London Eye.
Rising atop a 40-meter-high cultural complex, the Ferris wheel reaches a total height of 220 meters, making it the tallest spokeless Ferris wheel worldwide and offering panoramic views of Seoul. The plan also includes a zip line and monorail to enhance the visitor experience and provide direct connections between the subway station and the Ferris wheel.
The design concept centers on “unity” and draws inspiration from the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock symbolizing the celestial bodies’ motion through time.
This keyless design, situated in the heart of the city, embodies Korea’s relentless spirit of innovation and progress. It seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with timeless values of stability and beauty.
— Ben van Berkel, UNStudio
The double-ring structure offers exceptional stability and has passed rigorous seismic and wind resistance tests. Following the final evaluation by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced plans to begin construction in 2025, with completion targeted for 2028.
UNStudio has also recently unveiled the design for the new Hiwell Amber Centre in Hangzhou, a complex featuring four high-rise towers that will include offices, apartments, hotels, art spaces, and retail. Additionally, the studio won an international competition in Germany for a mixed-use development featuring two towers up to 120 meters tall, surrounded by a low-rise community hall. Last year, UNStudio was commissioned to design a people-focused mixed-use destination in Binjiang District, Nanjing, China.
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