The International Advisory Board for the Nature, Culture and Design (NCD) 2015 project recently convened during the HD Expo in Las Vegas to discuss the progress of one of the world’s largest mixed-use development projects being planned on the outskirts of Seoul in Guri City. Set for completion in 2015, the multibillion-dollar development project, called the Nature Culture and Design (NCD), will include the Guri World Design Center, an exposition center, hotels, retail, condominiums, single-family homes, foreigners commercial zone, design graduate school, cultural centers, and much more.
The primary purpose of the NIAB is to provide the Korean government with insight and guidance on the development of the Guri World Design Center and architecture and development from a global perspective.
In attendance, and presenting on the project, were Guri City mayor Young Sun Park; Chang Kuk Ko, president of K&C Associates of Seoul, Korea, who has been instrumental in the development of the NCD 2015 project; and a number of high-level Korean officials.
“We intend to transform Guri City to Asia’s leading destination for design & architectural, and meetings & conventions (MICE). Sustainable design will be an overriding initiative as we build for the future,” says Park.
“It’s very exciting to create something from nothing and that will impact the design world. To be able to think it through from the very first square foot on up is a fascinating experience and it’s potentially going to be a wonderful resource for designers in that area of the globe to what is possible in design,” says Randy Rubin, co-owner of Crypton and a member of the NCD Advisory Board.
Sang Kyung Kwak, emeritus professor of economics from the University of Korea, shared compelling data to support Guri City as an ideal location to build a design hub and destination in Asia. With 60 percent of the world’s population within six hours of Seoul and an impressive growth in exports, reflected in statistics that show 1962 exports at $50 million, and today’s exports at more than $500 billion, Guri City seems poised to support and grow a center of this magnitude.
“Korea is the sleeping giant. With the devastation in Japan and the overheating in China, Korea has managed controlled growth, a strong economy, and a clear path to become the financial and cultural center of Asia. We at iWorks certainly plan to invest more resources in Seoul and their hospitality segment,” says Eric Dortch, CEO iWorks.
The potential financial impact to the Seoul area will be enormous, particularly in the areas of Meetings, Conventions, Incentive travel, and events, according to Kwak. “There is a high level of construction in Korea but until now, limited development of design. The design center will make Guri City the design capital of Asia and will greatly influence design variety and aesthetic in the region. The development of the Guri World Design Center represents a new phase of the Korean economy.”
K&C Chang Ko has tapped RTKL to master plan the second phase of the mixed-use development. “We want to create a development that is as pioneering and forward-thinking as Guri City and the city of Seoul,” says RTKL vice president Steve Galbreath. “Now that RTKL is involved, we are picking up the pace on the master plan and look forward to our collaboration with Mayor Park, Chang Ko and the entire team. We intend to finalize our design by early 2012 and it will incorporate the iconic Design Center as its focus, the first of its kind in Korea.”
“At RTKL, we always try to act locally and think globally,” Galbreath continues. “Our international expertise in mixed-use development will make NCD 2015 the heart of design for this part of the world and this project will lead the way for expansion in Seoul,” adds Galbreath.
Additionally, a design academy at NCD is planned with a relationship to an established “sister-school” to further develop and bring design talent to the region, added Mayor Park.
Recognized as one of the world’s most dynamic cities for development growth, Seoul is fast becoming a city to watch, with a burgeoning design and architectural design community.
NCD 2015 Project is a very unique form of urban planning that is exclusively special for the Guri World Design Center. Most of the GWDC tenants will be part of the foreigners company. GWDC will incorporate a suitable environment for foreigner children to live, work, and receive adequate and proper education.
“We are fortunate to have industry leaders participating on this advisory board, dedicated to providing their knowledge, expertise and insight for the development of the NCD project. Our board is primarily comprised of manufacturers/marketers, architects, and interior designers sharing their ideas on the first phase of development. Their guidance will help position the GWDC as a state-of-art facility, meeting the future demands of the Asia design community and best-of-breed in the world,” says Michelle Finn, VP market and chairman-elect of the NIAB.
