A global competition to create a new public park on the abandoned island of Nodeul on the Han River in the heart of Seoul was won by Heatherwick Studio. The plan, called Soundscape, outlines a series of dramatic areas on various levels that can accommodate artistic interventions and musical performances in a biodiverse setting.
Heatherwick Studio Begins Construction on 'Soundscape' in Seoul
The design takes inspiration from Seoul’s mountainous landscape and the rhythmic patterns of soundwaves. It was chosen after a year-long process of exhibitions, consultations, and a public vote. Studio founder Thomas Heatherwick explained that in today’s hyper-digital age—marked by remarkable technological advances—there has also been a growing sense of loneliness and disconnection. The project, he noted, aims to create a 'hyper-physical' space that reconnects Seoul’s residents with nature, culture, and one another.
The transformation of Nodeul Island has officially commenced, marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on October 21, 2025, attended by citizens and government officials. The event featured live music, augmented reality experiences, and interactive exhibits unveiling new aspects of Heatherwick Studio’s Soundscape design.
Commissioned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the project envisions a new landscape dedicated to South Korean music and public recreation. The development will include an arts center, public beach, recording studios, small concert halls, a waterfront amphitheater, a K-pop experience center, a music café, an anechoic chamber, and a karaoke bar.
An Elevated Path That Echoes the Mountains and the Music
At its core, a 1.25-kilometer elevated trail—inspired by soundwave patterns and the contours of Seoul’s surrounding mountains—will loop in a figure-eight, offering floating rest areas and panoramic views of the Han River.
According to Thomas Heatherwick, the Soundscape is intended to be a place where people can breathe and feel alive — an invitation to listen, discover, and connect with one another. Construction will proceed in phases to ensure continued public access, with completion scheduled for 2028.
Through a nature-infused coastline at Nodeul Island, the public park will provide residents with a break from the busy metropolis by bending and folding like soundwaves. As visitors arrive on the island, they will encounter a public beach and an arts center at ground level, as well as a landscape that changes with the tides and seasons. The Studio aims to fortify the riverbanks with realistic plantings rather than tearing down the current artificial landscape. After that, the scenery will ascend to an event podium, which links to the skywalk. This trail will be made up of a number of tiny, airborne islets that will serve as rest areas with incredible views of the island and the river that leads back to Seoul.
It's not just about an exciting new aerial canopy, but developing a whole creative ecosystem, where spaces above and below the floating landscape are buzzing with activity.
Photos by Heatherwick Studios
