SeoulOne redefines urban living in South Korea. The Hyundai Development Company invited UNS to design this multigenerational, green neighbourhood for Seoul; a mixed-use mini-city where all essential services for people of all ages are available within a 10-minute walk.
SeoulOne demonstrates how a brownfield site can be transformed into an active development that prioritises connectivity, community, and cultural relevance. Located in the northeast of Seoul, the masterplan design envisions an existing industrial site and railway area as a 405,000 m2 car-free, safe neighbourhood for a multigenerational community.
The design strategically positions the various programme layers to create a healthy, green environment that accommodates residents of all ages and family structures. It integrates contemporary living, working, and entertainment within a single neighbourhood, and offers convenience, comfort, and a strong sense of community. As such, SeoulOne caters to a more diverse age group than any other development in Korea and can serve as a pilot for mixed-use urban developments of the future.
Ben van Berkel:
“For the SeoulOne masterplan we have aimed to create the ultimate contemporary 10-minute city, where the daily life experience of the residents is the top priority. We do this through the inclusion of a rich density of uplifting, curated on-site experiences that provide an extensive range of options for how residents of all ages can spend their living, working and leisure time.”
A walk around the masterplan
SeoulOne is designed as a masterplan where quality of life, health, nature and “growing together as a new multigenerational community” are paramount. The concept for the area design would ideally also be guided by traditional Korean urban planning principles, which typically respond to the surrounding natural landscapes.
The site for SeoulOne, located close to the city’s mountainous area in the north-east, sets the stage for the project’s conceptual and organisational design language. Here, the continuity of green space is maintained throughout the development, while the form language of the buildings follows the soft topography of the nearby mountains and visual corridors are created to the mountains and skies beyond.
Keeping the masterplan car-free continues this respect for nature and inspired the introduction of pedestrian bridges that connect to surrounding neighbourhoods.
The grand circle of life
The core concept of the masterplan is structured around six layers that collectively embody the idea of The Grand Circle of Life.
From Cradle to Grave:
SeoulOne is a multigenerational development designed to accommodate residents of all ages. From children’s services and amenities to elderly centres and medical care facilities, it supports a wider range of age groups than any other development in Korea.
Connected City:
The masterplan is a 10-minute, walkable city where all urban conveniences are within a short walk from residents’ homes. Built on a car-free, elevated platform, it offers a safe, continuous, and fully pedestrianised environment with smart logistics integrated below. Vehicular access to underground parking is provided via an outer ring road encircling the site, while a ring of outward-facing retail outlets connects the masterplan to the surrounding communities. Additionally, the planned metro station adjacent to the site ensures quick access to the heart of Gangnam.
Clockwise Living:
SeoulOne’s mixed-use programming is designed to foster 24/7 activity. It combines housing for all ages, retail of various scales, restaurants and cafes, daycare and healthcare centres, a library and learning centre, sports facilities, offices, and a hotel. This ensures that residents can live, work, play, shop, and learn—all within walking distance of their homes.
Retail for All:
The masterplan offers a diverse retail experience for all user groups. From a large-scale shopping mall and flagship stores to village-style boutiques, neighbourhood convenience stores, and small-scale street pavilions, the retail offering caters to both residents and visitors alike.
The Four Seasons of SeoulOne:
The project is a green village designed for year-round enjoyment. From urban landscapes to residential areas, the development features connected plazas, pocket parks, a forest walk, water gardens, roof gardens, recreational spaces, green courtyards, and green roofs. These elements ensure that residents are surrounded by nature in every season.
Transformation and Rebirth:
The final layer of SeoulOne’s concept is one of revitalisation—transforming an unused railway yard into a vibrant, integrated, sustainable, and healthy neighbourhood. This new urban typology offers a forward-thinking vision for the future of Seoul.
The Cube
The Cube serves as the landmark and anchor destination of the entire SeoulOne development, introducing a mixed-use typology that is entirely new to South Korea. The west wing of The Cube includes a large retail mall on its lower levels, offices on the middle floors, and a hotel with stepped rooftop terraces and a sunken secret garden at the top. The Cube Nest, housing retail, fitness, and entertainment spaces, is connected to the main building via a sky bridge.
The office spaces within The Cube are centred around a large, collaborative atrium courtyard, featuring a sweeping ramp that links all office floors. This green courtyard is crowned by bespoke stepped skylights, allowing natural daylight to flood the interior office spaces.
Transformative, holistic sustainability
SeoulOne sets a benchmark for social and environmental sustainability in urban development in South Korea. The project places a focus on social sustainability by fostering community and connection; the project’s largest section includes eight residential towers, designed to accommodate a variety of lifestyles and age groups. These towers are surrounded by a year-round landscape that provides spaces for relaxation, play, and exercise.
To encourage interaction and reduce isolation, every two towers are connected by a shared podium. These podiums form M-community levels, which are dedicated spaces for residents to meet and engage.
On the environmental side, SeoulOne integrates green and blue networks, clean energy systems, and smart city technologies to reduce its environmental impact. Locally sourced materials, including those inspired by traditional Korean ceramics, were used to minimise waste and lower the project’s carbon footprint.
The masterplan also includes green spaces and features that enhance biodiversity, creating a balance between the built environment and nature. By meeting strict local sustainability standards, SeoulOne reflects UNS’ approach to responsible and sustainable urban development.