"From forgotten wasteland to cultural destination, Nodeul Island on Seoul's Han River is undergoing a remarkable transformation under the vision of renowned British architect Thomas Heatherwick. After winning a highly competitive global design contest, Heatherwick Studio officially broke ground on its ambitious "Soundscape" project in October 2025, marking a new chapter for both the studio and South Korea's cultural landscape."
"Nodeul Island's story begins in 1917 when it was first constructed by the Japanese colonial administration. For decades, this artificial island served as little more than a waste storage facility, earning it the reputation as Seoul's "forgotten island". Fenced off from the public and left to decay, few could have imagined its potential as a vibrant cultural hub. That changed when the Seoul Metropolitan Government launched an international competition to reimagine the space."
"The winning design draws inspiration from two distinctly Seoul elements: the city's mountainous terrain and the visual patterns created by soundwaves. This dual inspiration manifests as a landscape that literally bends and folds like sound itself, creating what Thomas Heatherwick describes as "a trail of dramatic spaces on different levels that can host musical performances and artistic interventions". The centerpiece of the design features floating islets held in the air, providing elevated rest points with panoramic views across the island and back to Seoul's skyline."
Nodeul Island was constructed in 1917 and served for decades as an artificial waste storage facility, fenced off and largely forgotten. The Seoul Metropolitan Government ran an international competition involving exhibitions, consultations, and public voting; Heatherwick Studio's Soundscape won in May 2024 and groundbreaking occurred in October 2025. The design draws on Seoul's mountainous terrain and soundwave visual patterns, forming a landscape that bends and folds like sound and creates a trail of dramatic, multi-level spaces for musical performances and artistic interventions. The centerpiece will feature floating islets connected by a 1.2-kilometer skywalk offering panoramic views.
Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News
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