[Session 1] Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Fashion and Future
Session 1 "Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Fashion and Future" Craig Kiner (Associate Director of Zaha Hadid Architects) |
[Craig Kiner]
Urban Development and Architectural Challenge
Ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests, it's a real pleasure to be back in Seoul and at Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Like Mayor Oh mentioned before, there are a lot of memories of this place, from the beginning back in 2008 to the grand opening in 2014 — and even the groundbreaking four years before that.
Thank you for the invitation to attend the Seoul Design International Forum. On behalf of Dr. Schumacher and myself, I'd like to thank Mayor Oh for his vision, leadership, and ambition in supporting us at ZHA Architects and the DDP project — a design that was unfamiliar and perhaps a little alien, an extraordinary challenge for the city.
As we are all aware, DDP was conceived to commemorate Seoul as the World Design Capital in 2010 — 14 years passed — and today we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the building’s opening.
We’d also like to offer thanks to the competition jury for their courage and resolve throughout the process, for selecting the design of the metonymic landscape, and to all of our partners and consultants in London and Seoul, including SAMOO Architects and Engineers, ZHA, as well as all of the dedicated construction teams whose efforts played a critical role in delivering the project.
Cultural and Economic Impact of Design
Design is a fundamental force that shapes human existence, culture, and survival. It creates iconic buildings that transform locations, stimulates economic growth, and extends beyond architecture into all aspects of life.
Korea's design influence spans multiple domains: from traditional folk art and pottery to modern digital installations at DDP, including Refik Anadol's work. The Dongdaemun area is renowned for fashion, while Korean entertainment has gained international recognition through works like Parasite and Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Korean cultural impact extends to literature (like Han Kang's The Vegetarian) and music, particularly K-pop's meticulously designed performances.
Architecture serves as both physical infrastructure and cultural catalyst, with civic spaces playing a crucial role in urban life. Notable examples include Nicosia's Eleftheria Square unifying a divided city, Hamburg's innovative flood prevention design, Prague's contemporary architecture, Nanjing's Youth and Cultural Center, Rabat's Grand Theatre, and Baku's developments for the UN Climate Change Conference.
Future Vision for Urban Design
So what is the future of the DDP for the next 10, 20, or 50 years? Does it operate as a civic landmark — a vital civic space for the city? I believe it does. I believe the facility has an important place in the city as a significant and critical component of cultural infrastructure for both the city and the country. DDP should serve as a canvas for design exhibitions, digital art, music performances, and even fashion, film, or literature events. It can be a place for creative exploration, where challenging cultural norms and ideologies are discussed and debated.
A civic space should be open, encouraging diversity, free thought, and inclusive expression. It should be a place for questioning, exploring, and redefining ideas. The future of DDP should expand its cultural offerings, continuing design exhibitions, installations, and events related to fashion, film, and music. We need to push the boundaries so that spaces like DDP become embedded into the life of the city. They should become places where people gather, meet, and exchange ideas — one of the most essential functions of a civic building.
