Foster + Partners has unveiled designs for IOTA Seoul I, a transformative mixed-use development located between Seoul Station and Namsan, the 270-metre-high peak in Jung-Gu. Historically serving as a key gateway to the city, the site is now set to become a green urban oasis that reconnects Seoul with its natural surroundings.
🌿 Nature and City in Harmony
Luke Fox, Head of Studio at Foster + Partners, explained:
“We are extending the experience of the adjacent Namsan Park into the development and creating a welcoming new destination for the people of Seoul. Our scheme responds to this important site – where nature and the city converge – with a series of interventions that carefully balance both elements.”
The masterplan dedicates 40% of the site to public use, featuring:
- A central park
- Pocket gardens
- Landscaped terraces
- Roof gardens and pedestrian-friendly thoroughfares
The project enhances connectivity by resolving the site’s level changes and introducing escalators and stairs that link Seoul Station and Toegye-ro.
🏢 Key Features of IOTA Seoul I
- Six-Star Hotel: Positioned to optimize views of Namsan and the N Seoul Tower.
- 34-Storey Office Tower: Offers state-of-the-art amenities, 18-metre column-free spans for maximum flexibility, and a rooftop garden with panoramic city views.
- Tourism Centre: A new cultural destination with step-free public access and a roof garden overlooking the park.
- Architectural Heritage: Preserves the lobby space of an existing hotel designed by Kim Jong-sung.
⚡ Sustainable Urban Transformation
The project integrates advanced sustainable energy systems, including:
- Photovoltaic panels on facades and roofs
- Ground source heating and cooling
- Next-generation fuel cell technology
Together, these measures will generate 47% of the development’s operational energy, setting a benchmark for green design in Seoul.
Jeremy Kim, Partner at Foster + Partners, said:
“We are delighted to be working on this exciting project that gives back to Seoul – by positively transforming this important piece of its urban fabric.”
✅ IOTA Seoul I positions itself as a bold new model for sustainable, people-centered urban development, weaving together heritage, modernity, and nature.
