A new residential complex proposal that challenges the uniformity of conventional high-rise housing has been unveiled by Heatherwick Studio to redevelop the aging Daegyo Apartments in Seoul.
Located in Yeouido neighborhood near the Han River, the project will replace a 1975-era complex of 576 units with approximately 900 new homes across four residential buildings. The scheme marks Heatherwick Studio’s first residential project in South Korea and introduces a design approach rooted in natural forms and human-centered living. The buildings are defined by undulating rooflines inspired by the surrounding mountains, departing from the repetitive, standardized apartment blocks that dominate much of Seoul’s housing landscape. At ground level, the development emphasizes openness and community, with stepped gardens, sunken courtyards, and sheltered walkways creating a layered public realm accessible to both residents and visitors.
A central sky garden and a range of shared amenities—including play areas, sports facilities, and services for older residents—are integrated throughout the complex to support intergenerational living. The design also lifts portions of the site edges to buffer traffic and create more protected, pedestrian-friendly spaces.
The proposal reflects growing demand in Seoul for more distinctive and livable residential environments. Recent surveys have highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the city’s existing apartment typologies, often criticized for their monotony and lack of identity.
The Daegyo redevelopment adds to Heatherwick Studio’s expanding presence in South Korea, where the firm is also involved in projects including Nodeul Island, the Hanwha Galleria complex, and the Coex Convention Centre. If realized, the project aims to establish a new model for residential design in Seoul—one that prioritizes character, community, and a closer relationship to landscape.
Read more at Heatherwick Studio.Â