Dongdaemun Design Plaza

• Korean Name: 동대문디자인플라자 DDP
• English Name: Dongdaemun Design Plaza
• Location: 2-1 Street, Euljiro Road, Jung District, Seoul
• Scale: Gross area 86,574m2
• Reason to visit: The world's largest non-standard building
• Our Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
• Opening Hours: 10:00-19:00
• Recommended tour: 5 Days Seoul Exploring Tour

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a multi-cultural complex located at Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station in Seoul, Korea. DDP not only represents its position, you can also understand it as Dream, Design and Play. DDP has staged diverse cultural events including exhibitions, fashion shows, product launch shows, forums, conferences and various cultural events.
 

DDP provides a place for the generation of design trends and the exchange of different cultures. The new products and fashion can be introduced here and the knowledge of the culture can be shared through the exhibitions.

Through these events, DDP will become the hub of the design and fashion industry that is well-known in Asia and the world.

History of Dongdaemun Design Plaza

The predecessor of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul was the Dongdaemun Stadium. Dongdaemun Stadium was the venue for the unveiling ceremony when the Korean Professional Baseball League was founded in 1982. With the establishment of Jamsil Stadium in Seoul in 1984, Dongdaemun Stadium was transformed into a flea market. The Dongdaemun Stadium was demolished in 2008.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a renovation project of Dongdaemun Sports Ground. It was designed by the famous British architect Saha Hardy and spent 484 billion won. After five years of construction, it officially opened on March 21, 2014.

Layout of Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Dongdaemun Design Plaza consists of five parts: Art Hall, Museum, Design Lab, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park and Design Market.
 

There are two art halls in the Plaza. Art Hall 1 is the tallest building in Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Many product launch shows and events are held here. Art Hall 2 is a structure characterized by beautiful curves and white walls, hosts diverse events including conferences, international forums, and exhibitions. The Design Lab sells souvenirs related to the Dongdaemun Design Plaza and symbolic attractions of Seoul. The Dongdaemun History & Culture Park consists of three parts: Yigansumun Exhibition Hall, Dongdaemun History Museum and the Dongdaemun Stadium Memorial.

Building Story

The designer of Dongdaemun Plaza is Zaha Hadid, who was the first British female architect to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize and is well-known in the international architectural community.
 

Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a three-dimensional non-standard building with the design concept of combining with the surrounding terrain. In terms of design techniques, Dongdaemun Design Plaza adopts a cutting-edge design technique "Building Information Model" that converts two-dimensional plan information into three-dimensional design. The entire building is streamlined without seams, and the appearance is curved like a huge alien spaceship.

How to get to Dongdaemun Design Plaza

By Subway

Line 2/4/ 5. Get off at Dongdaemun History and Culture Park Station, exit 1 or 2.
 

By Bus

Green Bus: No.7212, 2014, 2233, 7212, 2012, 2015, 2233

Get off at  Dongdaemun History and Culture Park bus stop

Blue Bus: No. N13, 105, 152, 301, N13, N16, N30, 105, 144, 261, 301, 407, 420