Dongdaemun Design Plaza “DDP” (동대문디자인플라자)

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꿈 (kkum) Dream
디자인 (di-ja-in) Design
놀다 (nol-i) to Play

Fun Facts

DDP is made with over 40,000 aluminum panels, and none of them are the same size or shape, making it a stunning display of architectural creativity.
The aluminum panels of the DDP were crafted using parametric design and building information modeling (BIM) technology, allowing for precise customization and dynamic aesthetics.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul, designed by architect Zaha Hadid, is the world’s largest atypical architectural structure, and is a symbol of the city’s dedication to design and innovation. Its iconic exterior, marked by delicate curves and bold shapes, has made it a landmark attraction. In 2015 the DDP was the most tagged location in South Korea on Instagram, attracting visitors and photographers from all around the world. Serving as a multifunctional space, hosting various events, from exhibitions to fashion shows, it offers diverse experiences for visitors. The plaza’s history is intertwined with Seoul’s urban evolution, it replaced the Dongdaemun Stadium while honoring the city’s heritage. The surrounding areas like Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and Dongdaemun Market showcase remnants of the past, contributing to Seoul’s designation as the World Design Capital in 2010. The DDP’s innovative design, blending tradition with modernity, reflects Seoul’s commitment to pushing boundaries in design and technology, offering public spaces accessible to everyone and embodying the city’s creative spirit.

Travel Tips

Research the DDP’s schedule for exhibitions, events, and fashion shows to ensure you catch something of interest during your visit.
Visit at night when the stunning facade transforms with the aluminum panels allowing light to emerge from inside.
Explore the surrounding areas including the History & Culture Park and the Dongdaemun Market.

Address

English: 281, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hangeul: 서울특별시 중구 을지로 281

DDP is such a cool building, I couldn’t wait to see it after watching the Kdrama Vincenzo (one of my favorites). Nearby you can walk along a portion of the Cheonggyecheon Stream or make your way over to Gwangjang market. This building is a photographer’s dream with its unique design that provides endless opportunities for creative shots. We definitely got lost walking around and inside of this building, but that is part of its charm.

If you are unfamiliar with Zaha Hadid, you should spend a few minutes looking up her amazing work before your visit to the DDP so that you can really appreciate the design of this amazing space. She received the very prestigious Pritzker Award for her futuristic/space-like design which features transparency (yes – light flows through the panels), porousness, durability, as well as solar panels and a water recycling system. I walked around the entire space looking closely at the panels since no 2 are the same size or exact shape (even though many look very close to being the same). I learned they even had to design a special factory to build the aluminum panels since no such factory existed before the plaza was built. The building is a little confusing in terms of where to enter, what to do inside, etc. (although we found at least two good cafes on our visits). There is also a large shopping mall underground which connects to the subway. We spent just an hour or so on each visit to admire the structure and take lots of pics (lots of Kdramas are filmed here).