STUDIO DANIEL LIBESKIND WINS INTERNATIONAL MASTER PLAN COMPETITION TO CREATE 34 MILLION SQUARE FOOT, $20 BILLION NEW RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Studio Daniel Libeskind has been named winner of the master plan competition for the Yongsan International Business District of Seoul, South Korea. The new large-scale district features a cluster of residential, office and retail neighborhoods in an extensive urban park along the Han River. 

The plan, called Archipelago 21 because each of the linked neighborhoods functions like “islands” within a sea of green park space, will contain a total of 34 million square feet of built area.  The $20 billion development is slated to break ground in 2011. The development entity is Yongsan Development Co., Ltd, a South Korean conglomerate. The district will also contain new cultural institutions, educational facilities and rapid transportation systems. 

“The idea is to create a 21st Century destination that is at once transformative, vibrant, sustainable and diverse,” Mr. Libeskind said. “I wanted to make each form, each place, each neighborhood as varied and distinctive as possible. The plan, and each building within it, should reflect the vertical and cultural complexity of the heart of Seoul.” 

“We are proud to be selected for this major project from among so many distinguished firms,” Mr. Libeskind said.  Finalists included Asymptome, Foster+Partners, Jerde Partnership and Skidmore Owings & Merrill.  Studio Daniel Libeskind worked with ARUP and Martha Schwartz, Inc. on the winning entry.