World’s first floating island, Seoul
Seoul hasn’t rested on its laurels since winning the crown of World Design Capital 2010. This month it proved the scope of its architectural ambitions once again by launching the foundation for the world’s first artificial floating island on Hangang River.
The steel-framed platform is the base of the first of three interconnecting islets collectively named 'Soul Flora' and conceived as spaces for cultural, entertainment and sporting activities. The island is part of a new surge of architectural projects that are transforming the city, including works by Rem Koolhaas, Zaha Hadid and Daniel Libeskind.
Once the upper section of the first islet is complete, it will be tugged from Dongjak Bridge to the new riverside Banpo Hangang Park. The remaining two islets will be launched in April and May 2010 and the whole project is expected to be finished in July this year.
Soul Flora is an $84 million project funded by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, based on an idea submitted by a Seoul citizen to 'Oasis', its online policy suggestion forum. It is one strand of a wider project to regenerate the riverside.
Named 'Viva', the first islet will be home to a range of cultural and entertainment activities. The largest of the islets will be 'Vista', featuring a large hall for plays, concerts, and festivals. The smallest island will be 'Terra', a base for sports and leisure activities, a club house and a dock for boats. Each islet will be anchored to concrete blocks on the bottom of the river and will have a combined area of 9,995 square metres.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this week
It's been a busy start to the year for the Wallpaper* team. Heres their pick of the week across fashion, food and film
By Melina Keays Published
-
Rooms with a view: a new book celebrates the Italian approach to interior design
Laura May Todd's survey of Italian interiors is the perfect antidote to January gloom, taking a look inside 50 distinctive Italian homes
By Ali Morris Published
-
CES 2025: best audio launches from Las Vegas
The news from CES was that good things come in small packages, at least when it comes to contemporary audio devices
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
AI in architecture: Zaha Hadid Architects on its pioneering use and collaborating with NVIDIA
We talk to ZHA about AI in architecture, its computational design advances, and its collaboration with NVIDIA on design, data and the future of AI and creativity
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Join our tour of Taikaka House, a slice of New Zealand in Seoul
Taikaka House, meaning ‘heart-wood’ in Māori, is a fin-clad, art-filled sanctuary, designed by Nicholas Burns
By SuhYoung Yun Published
-
Omniyat launches The Alba, new Zaha Hadid Architects-designed residences in Dubai
Developer Omniyat announces The Alba, ultra-luxury residences managed by Dorchester Collection and designed by Zaha Hadid Architects to blend ‘nature and cutting-edge design’
By Simon Mills Published
-
Load into this reimagined Fortnite cityscape, courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects
A collaboration between Epic Games and ZHA, Re:Imagine London brings the architects’ modular forms into one of the world’s most popular multiplayer games
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
The Henderson by ZHA in Hong Kong makes everyone sit up and pay attention
The Henderson, ZHA's new high-rise in Hong Kong, stands out in its coveted address through its unusual, fluted façade of glass columns
By Daven Wu Published
-
Studio Heech transforms a Seoul home, nodding to Pierre Chareau’s Maison De Verre
Young South Korean practice Studio Heech joins the Wallpaper* Architects’ Directory 2024, our annual round-up of exciting emerging architecture studios
By Tianna Williams Published
-
A guide to Zaha Hadid: from architecture to making 'a big hole' in Wallpaper*
Dame Zaha Hadid was a global, Pritzker Prize-winning architect and a force of nature; in this ultimate guide to her work, we celebrate her life, career and legacy
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Architect Byoung Cho on nature, imperfection and interconnectedness
South Korean architect Byoung Cho’s characterful projects celebrate the quirks of nature and the interconnectedness of all things
By Ellie Stathaki Published