Macho Youth Successfully Completes Landscaping of "Seoul Gallery" Beneath Seoul City Hall

- "Butterfly's Journey Connecting Fragmented Spaces"
- Transforming the Desolate Underground of City Hall into a 770m² Urban Healing Garden

[Image provided by Macho Youth]

Macho Youth (CEO Kwangsoo Kim), a design group specializing in plant interior, landscaping, and biophilic design based on the convergence of nature, technology, and experience—known as NX (Nature Experience)—announced that it has successfully completed the landscaping project for "Seoul Gallery" (sunken and indoor spaces), occupying a total area of 770 square meters beneath Seoul City Hall.

This project went beyond simple planting, receiving praise for transforming the once desolate underground space at the heart of Seoul City Hall with sophisticated design, turning it into a perfect place for relaxation and culture for citizens. Macho Youth oversaw the entire process of spatial transformation, from design to construction and maintenance.

The main concept was "Butterfly's Journey," envisioning citizens visiting Seoul City Hall walking and resting in the garden like butterflies in search of flowers. The previously empty spiral staircase area was visually accentuated by installing a grand "Green Chandelier" standing 12 meters tall at the center, serving as a landmark that draws attention from above ground down to the basement. The underground pillars were designed as "Roots Flowing to the Future," symbolizing the energy of the ground stretching below, thus connecting the previously separated underground and above-ground spaces into one vast ecological link.

[Image provided by Macho Doctor]

The project also showcased detailed landscaping expertise. To overcome constraints of limited sunlight and ventilation in the basement, the team strategically combined sophisticated artificial arrangements for the upper hanging sections, which are difficult to maintain, with planters of fresh ornamental plants at eye level for citizens. For the sunken area at the City Hall Station entrance, a "sound masking" technique inspired by Paley Park in New York was implemented. To soften urban noise, the sound of a waterfall was set at 87 decibels, and the fountain height and water tank size were precisely designed at a 2.5:1 ratio to prevent splashing and maximize psychological comfort.

The project also maintained a strong vision for environmental responsibility and resource circulation. Green walls made from recycled coffee grounds were installed throughout the space, delivering the message of sustainable landscaping under the slogan "Second Brew, Second Life."

Kwangsoo Kim, CEO of Macho Youth, who led the design as a Seoul public landscape architect and organizer of the International Garden Expo, explained, "We focused on 'emotional continuity,' linking the previously fragmented underground space, gallery, and history of City Hall into one flow," adding, "We hope that, even amidst their busy pace, citizens will linger along the natural elements and experience positive emotional changes, feeling the future of Seoul."

Meanwhile, Macho Youth continues to lead the industry, having successfully completed a series of major projects such as the Starfield COEX Mall Byeolmadang Library, Galaxy Corporation, and public spaces for the International Garden Expo. In particular, in February 2026, the company completed the acquisition (M&A) of Brother's Keeper, a social enterprise that supports self-reliant youth, incorporating it as a subsidiary and significantly expanding its business into the ESG space solutions sector.

Through the acquisition of Brother's Keeper, Macho Youth has internalized the meticulous maintenance of the Seoul Gallery and enabled self-reliant youth, who have completed specialist training, to find new hope and job opportunities by managing the landscaping at Seoul City Hall. Looking ahead, the company plans to provide "corporate-customized ESG space and management consulting solutions" that combine design-driven landscaping with youth self-reliance support models.

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