Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

Seoul | Dongdaemun Design Plaza by ZHA- Zaha Hadid Architects

The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (often shortened to DDP) is a cultural and exhibition center – focused on design, technology, and art – whose construction has changed an entire city block in the Dongdaemun commercial district of Seoul.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the new site provides inhabitants and visitors a leisure area and a public green space within the densely built urban environment of the neighborhood.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

The project conceived by ZHA – which main objective was to create a fluid ensemble of open-air areas and public structures open to all – has transformed the site into a complex system articulated around a portion of the ancient city walls, which forms the backbone of the composition and physically connects a new public park, created for the occasion, with the Design Plaza building. Indeed, the site of the DPP is one of the rare historical sites in Seoul, where the eastern gate in the old defensive wall of the city was once located; during the construction of the hub, the remains of a parade ground dating back to the 16th century were discovered and subsequently relocated in the park.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Archeological site excavation: the old defensive wall.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – courtesy of ZHA

Opened in 2014, the complex design was based on an accurate survey of its context, with a thorough examination of the urban streams, the landscape, and the indigenous vegetation. Specifically, the 30,000-square-meter (320,000-square-foot) park, a reinterpretation of the principles of the traditional Korean garden, is based on a multilayer and horizontal structure that creates a continuous relationship between “inside” and “outside” and avoids making a single element overshadow the coherence of the ensemble.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – courtesy of ZHA

The design of the Plaza was strongly based on innovative BIM modeling and parametric design, “With parametric building information modeling software and design computation, we were able to continually test and adapt the design to the ever-evolving client’s brief as well as integrate engineering and construction requirements. These technologies helped to maintain the original design aspiration throughout the project’s construction. It also streamlined the architectural design process and coordination with consultants. The parametric modeling process not only improved the efficiency of workflow but also helped to make the most informed design decisions within a very compressed project period; ensuring DDP’s success throughout life-span.” (text by Zaha Hadid Architects)

The project was developed on a thorough study on topological networks and inspirational forms (image courtesy of ZHA)

The DPP building is clad with over 40,000 micro-perforated aluminum panels with different dimensions and curvature, which create a surface whose texture is inspired by decorative patterns of the Korean tradition. The appearance of the DPP is radically different from the day – when the building looks solid and “metallic” – to the night, when the micro-holes of the facade allow light emerge from inside the building, somehow “dematerializing” it.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – courtesy of ZHA

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

With a gross floor area of over 85,000 square meters (910,000 square feet) subdivided into eight levels, four of which underground, the DPP comprises exhibition spaces, a conference hall, a design museum, a library, an education center, and a “design market” open 24 hours a day. The new design hub is, therefore, a space accessible to all, which a diverse cultural program of temporary exhibitions and special events open to the city.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – plan level 2F, sections, courtesy of ZHA

Dongdaemun Design Plaza – Photography by Virgile Simon Bertrand

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul, Korea

ARCHITECT: ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS (ZHA)

DESIGN: Zaha Hadid with Patrik Schumacher

ZHA PROJECT LEADER: Eddie Can Chiu-Fai

ZHA PROJECT MANAGERS: Craig Kiner and Charles Walker

ZHA PROJECT TEAM:

Kaloyan Erevinov, Hooman Talebi, Matthew Wong, Martin Self, Carlos S. Martinez, Camiel Weijenberg, Florian Goscheff, Maaike Hawinkels, Aditya Chandra, Andy Chang, Arianna Russo, Ayat Fadaifard, Josias Hamid, Shuojiong Zhang, Natalie Koerner, Jae Yoon Lee, Federico Rossi, John Klein, Chikara Inamura, Alan Lu.

ZHA COMPETITION TEAM:

Kaloyan Erevinov, Paloma Gormley, Hee Seung Lee, Kelly Lee, Andres Madrid, Deniz Manisali, Kevin McClellan, Claus Voigtmann, Maurits Fennis.

LOCAL ARCHITECT:

Samoo Architects & Engineers (Seoul, Korea)