Parc.1 - RSHP’s first commercial complex in Seoul

Parc.1, a major new mixed-use centre in Seoul, South Korea has recently opened its doors to their first visitors. The development comprises The Hyundai Seoul – the largest retail mall in Korea, two landmark office towers, and the luxury hotel, Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. The 4.6-hectare site is located in Yeouido Island, one of Seoul’s three designated central business districts.

The overall concept for Parc.1 was to create a new destination in Seoul with a complex that integrates public transport, retail, commercial, and hotel accommodation to form a new urban hub. Central to this concept was to establish a series of buildings that create a hierarchy of public spaces, including tree-lined boulevards and plazas for public events.

The 630,000m² scheme consists of four main components on a masterplan that is organised to respond to views, existing city grain, pedestrian movement, and massing: an 89,000m² total area retail complex; two office towers (one at 318m, the other at 246m) totalling 270,000m² lettable office space; a 326-room hotel with ballroom and a roof-top restaurant, a car park and basement support facilities. The mixed-use scheme is marked by its striking exterior, inspired by red columns symbolizing dignity and refinement in traditional Korean architecture.

Parc.1 was the first building in Korea to be certified pre-Gold. It is rated Green 1 rating, the highest-ranking grade under Korea’s G-SEED, Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design, managed by the government of South Korea.

The interior architecture concept, designed by Leonard Design, brings the outside in and creates an instantly recognisable, multi-level shopping experience unique to Seoul where visitors can gather, relax, eat, drink and shop. The scheme maximises the natural light via the unique roof, which is inspired by Korea’s traditional heritage, with staggered voids that allow the light through each level to create a diverse and memorable experience. 

Designed by architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners (RSHP) with co-architects Samoo Architects and Engineers and Siaplan Architects and Planners, in conjunction with Leonard Design Architects, engineers Arup and DongYang Structural Engineers Co. Ltd.

Ivan Harbour, Senior Design Partner, RSHP said: “Sixteen years after its inception, Parc.1 is complete and has become a new city centre destination in Seoul. Its design is unique to Seoul’s skyline with an expressed structure in red. It has been fantastic to work in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.”

Steve Martin, Associate Partner and Project Architect, RSHP said: “Public space is one of the key design principles of our work. Much of the design at Parc.1 is dedicated to creating more public space on the surrounding streets and in the interior park that rises through the retail building.”

Won Chae, Senior Director, Parc.1 Property, said: “We are delighted with the design of Parc.1 which has created a new destination in the heart of Seoul for visitors and the local community alike.”

Ed Clark, Director, Arup said “To deliver a project of this magnitude requires close collaboration and a shared vision between all parties. The success of Parc.1 was in part driven by the diverse project team which brought together global design and technical expertise combined with a deep understanding of the local market.”

Ian Staples, director at Leonard Design Architects, said: “We are thrilled to see Parc.1 launch and that the integrity of the initial interior architecture is still in place. We wanted to create an experience for customers as soon as they walked in and we set out as a team to redefine the retailing experience. It is therefore testament to that team effort and thinking that Parc.1 still presents a fresh and unique experience, and we look forward to visiting.”