Heatherwick Studio has recently won an international competition to transform the uninhabited Nodeul Island on Seoul’s Han River into a dynamic urban park. Titled Soundscape, this award-winning project envisions a series of dramatic spaces at varying heights dedicated to music performances and art exhibitions. The design harmonizes with the green landscape, blending biodiversity while reflecting Seoul’s mountainous terrain and the visual patterns of sound waves.
Following a year of exhibitions, public consultations, and voting, Heatherwick Studio believes their design will offer Seoul’s residents a unique opportunity to engage with nature, culture, and one another. Visitors to Nodeul Island can expect a landscape that evolves with the seasons and invites sensory exploration.
“Nodeul Island is the perfect invitation to escape and reconnect with the city of Seoul. In today’s hyper-digital world, where many feel isolated, we aim to create a highly physical space that fosters connection among Seoul’s citizens through nature and culture. The design features a curved, folded landscape inspired by sound waves, integrated with a new natural waterfront. It provides a vibrant platform for people to discover and express their city’s culture.” — Thomas Heatherwick, Founder and Design Director.
The ground floor will host an art center and a public beach, enhanced by soft landscaping along the riverbank to complement the existing artificial terrain. From there, the landscape ascends through multiple levels, connecting sidewalks and activity podiums. A 1.2-kilometer skywalk, made up of small floating islands, will offer restful spaces and panoramic views of the Han River and surrounding islands.
This project marks Heatherwick Studio’s first major development in Korea and is being developed in partnership with the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The revitalized Nodeul Island is slated to welcome visitors in 2027. Earlier this year, the studio presented Building Soulpowerness at the Bund Financial Center in Shanghai. In November, Heatherwick Studio opened a new community space in central Tokyo, invited by the Japanese Prime Minister. The Tokyo Azabu Tai New City project focuses on green spaces that seamlessly integrate urban life with nature.
Additionally, the studio recently revealed designs for a new shopping district in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China. This project celebrates the city’s rich ceramic heritage and aims to offer immersive sensory experiences to visitors, contrasting with the limitations of online shopping.
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