Seongsu-dong Former E-Mart Site Selected as the First Project for the 'Urban Architecture Design Innovation Project'

Seoul City Announces First Urban Management Plan Decision and Notice
Floor Area Ratio Increased Up to 560%
Lower Floors and Rooftop Opened... "To Become a Local Landmark"

Seoul City is set to fully initiate urban architectural design innovation through the redevelopment project of the former Emart site in Seongsu-dong.

The city announced on the 1st that it has selected the ‘K-PROJECT Complex Cultural Facility (tentative name)’ to be built on the former Emart site as the first ‘Urban Architectural Design Innovation Project’ and will decide and announce the urban management plan accordingly.

Perspective view of 'K-Project Complex Cultural Facility' in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Photo by Seoul City

Last year, the city promoted the Urban Architectural Design Innovation Project to discover innovative design buildings in the private sector. The Emart site redevelopment project was selected in the first public contest. Since February, related procedures such as public viewing by residents, consultations with institutions, and reviews have been underway.

The K-PROJECT Complex Cultural Facility is a work involving the world-renowned British architect David Chipperfield. With the project’s selection, a ‘creative innovation floor area ratio’ will be applied, increasing the floor area ratio of the site from the existing 400% to a maximum of 560%. The fully open low-rise section will serve as a space where various events such as e-sports, exhibitions, and performances are held regularly, while the rooftop at a height of 17 floors above ground will be utilized as a scenic spot overlooking the Seongsu-dong area. The underground parking lot will also be opened for residents and visitors to Seongsu. The city explained, “The building, featuring creative design, along with the fully open low-rise section and rooftop, will be reborn as a representative cultural hub of the area.”

Seongsu-dong, Seoul 'K-Project Complex Cultural Facility'. Photo by Seoul City

Starting with the Emart site redevelopment project, the city plans to continuously discover innovative designs for private buildings. When reviewing innovative designs, the city will focus on ▲presenting new directions and fundamental improvement plans for urban and architectural spaces ▲highly aesthetic designs that can enhance citizens’ artistic sensibility ▲proposals for forms, structures, and materials that contribute to environmental soundness and sensibility ▲creative interpretation of natural history and the story of the site’s place ▲implementing new spatial structures or usage methods by converging various functions.

Im Chang-su, Director of Future Space Planning at Seoul City, said, “Just as Bilbao became a world-renowned tourist city after the Guggenheim Museum was built, innovative architecture can greatly enhance urban competitiveness,” adding, “Starting with the former Emart site in Seongsu-dong, we will support the rapid realization of a total of 16 works selected for the ‘Urban Architectural Design Innovation Project’ so that Seoul’s appeal can be further enhanced.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.