UNStudio + Heerim to design new 32-tower residential masterplan in Seoul

UNStudio and Korean firm Heerim Architects & Planners won first prize to design the Eunma Housing Development in Daechi-Dong, the main residential area in Seoul's affluent Gangnam district. Replacing the current residential towers, the new masterplan comprises of 32 towers that were designed to “respond directly to the needs of an established community,” UNStudio co-founder Ben van Berkel said. Residents — which include families and young professionals — will also have nearby access to educational centers, libraries, athletic facilities, and six themed gardens. A final project timeline is yet to be revealed.

UNStudio shared more details about their winning scheme below.

“[The residents] know the strengths and requirements of the area and how they want to see their community develop. This local knowledge is invaluable to the design,” says Ben van Berkel. 

Overall, the architects estimate that the project comprises over 1 million square meters of new development. The existing 35-story towers of the development will be replaced by new 50-story towers, adding more than 1,500 apartments to the current 4,424 units on the site. “This will enable the home owners to create state of the art apartments and amenity design and to locate all parking underground, facilitating a new eco landscape throughout the development,” according to UNStudio.

UNStudio applied a Live, Work and Play concept, based on the local feedback they received from the current residents. One example of this is the six themed gardens that will “define each neighborhood block and inspire education”. The gardens have colorful names like: Curiosity Forest, Excitement Garden, Alluring Urban-ground, Contemplation Cloud, Playfulness Park, and Longevity Fields. 

UNStudio says that the Eunma development “follows an urban model...[that is] divided into 4 circular themed zones and 6 landscape quadrants that [reflect] the characteristics of the site boundary [resulting] in 24 bespoke neighbourhoods [...] Lively streets are located on two sides of the site boundary, with two main underground connections to nearby metro stations. The site is accessible for the surrounding neighborhood, with sightlines designed from the surrounding streets to the heart of the site. The programme complementing the urban connectors includes spaces for retail, food and beverage, and leisure.”

Adjacent to the neighborhoods are educational centers and community libraries that will be situated near the family and community blocks. The ‘professional towers’ that house young professionals will be closer to sports and recreational facilities to encourage a healthier work-life balance. At the center of the development, the architects designed six ‘iconic towers‘ that cater to luxury urban living, art, and culture.

The buildings are designed as a cross-ventilated tower typology that allows natural light into the apartments. The apartment towers will prevent direct views between apartments to ensure privacy between residents. But they will also include elevated semi-public spaces to host community programs. On-site car traffic and parking will be underground.

Project data + credits:

Masterplan Eunma Housing Development, Seoul, South Korea, 2016

Client (Masterplan): Promotion Committee Office of EUNMA Apartment Redevelopment
Client (UNStudio): Heerim Architects & Planners
Location: Gangnam district, Seoul, South Korea
Building surface: Approx. 1149000 m2
Building site: ½ KM2
Program: 32 towers, ranging from 25-50 stories (5,940 units) masterplan.
Status: Design vision, competition first prize

UNStudio: Ben van Berkel, Gerard Loozekoot with René Wysk, Harlen Miller and Megan Hurford, Jung Jae Suh, Sibilla Bonfanti

Heerim Architects & Planners: Young Kyoon Jeong, Kyu Young Park with Sung Won Oh, Seung Uk Oh, Jae Kyu Lee, Hyun Joon Yoo, Seung Wang Lee, Kyung Sook Cho, Eun Hee Ha, Chanhee Lee, Hyun Il Kang, Mi Ran Kang, Hyun Joo Kim, Yun Hyeok Kim, So Young Choi, Hun Il Park, Sun Wook Kim, Jae Yeon Lee, Hyun Rock Kang, Hee Seung Kim, Jun Seong Park, Seung Woo Lee, Jae Won Kim, Jun Ha Hwang, Sung Jun Moon, YuWon Kang

All images and quoted text courtesy of UNStudio.