Seoul Design Foundation discovers and exhibits design contents in DDP.

The DDP Design Museum & DDP Exhibitions

As a world-class architecture and Seoul’s landmark, DDP is a design platform that dreams of, makes, and enjoys designs together with citizens. The Seoul Design Foundation develops citizen-centered designs by expanding the base of design through citizens’ participation and focuses on the change and advancement of citizens’ clothing, food, and housing by suggesting a new lifestyle.

DDP Design Museum is a Type 1 public museum registered as Seoul Metropolitan City Museum No. 13-2020-01. Registration as a public art museum is expected to mark an important milestone for the DDP Design Museum which is the only public design museum in Korea as it discovers, researches and exhibits the design values of Seoul to broaden Korea’s design spectrum and presents contemporary global design content, in the process of establishing DDP as the mecca of creative resources. Following the registration as an art museum, we are also working to remodel and upgrade DDP exhibition facilities so as to introduce a system capable of accommodating specialized exhibitions, secure design content and exhibition-planning capabilities, and create a platform for exchanges and cooperation, with the ultimate goal of establishing the identity of the DDP Design Museum.

DDP exhibitions and programs, click here

DDP, a world of design for ordinary citizens

DDP, a place for citizens’ participation and exhibitions

The Seoul Design Foundation is planning and operating various programs by constructing citizen-participatory space for citizens to experience designs at DDP.

In DDP store, visitors can see Korea’s design products and get various kinds of information as well as see DDP’s major events via "DDP website."

DDP website, click here

A platform for design knowledge and inspiration

DDP Forum

The DDP Forum, a platform to share design knowledge and inspiration is a regular event for exchanging design knowledge on a wide range of subjects. At the forum, leading Korean designers and experts present future visions for the design industry, spread design knowledge and culture to the general public, and offers opportunities for citizens to experience the themes of exhibitions from multiple related perspectives. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the forum has been held on DDP’s Youtoube channel

To view DDP forums
(DDP Youtube channel)

Growing with the local community and promoting local tourism

Seoul Light

Seoul Light is a large-scale light show displayed on DDP’s 200 m curvy façade. The show creates a surreal and fascinating atmosphere by bringing together colorful lights, videos and music on the silver panel that turns into a giant canvas. DDP Seoul Light was launched to boost business activities in the Dongdaemun area by holding festivals in collaboration with local businesses with sustainability in mind, to create global light festivals, and to attract tourists from other countries by developing various nighttime content. Refik Anadol was appointed the general director of the 1st festival to facilitate global cooperation and create content in which citizens could get involved, which would make the festival unique and different from others. Artists from Korea and abroad are also working together to create media façade content. Use of cutting-edge technology can allow Seoul to stand out as a city of light festivals and enhance Korea’s status as an IT powerhouse.

During the daytime, silver is the symbolic color of DDP, one of the major landmarks in Seoul but the curvy silver façade turns into a huge canvas when night falls. Characterized by its overwhelming scale and loads of eye-entertaining dynamicity, Seoul Light is now drawing attention not only in Korea but from around the world.

To view Seoul Light on Youtube
(DDP Youtube channel)

The world’s largest, atypical 3 architecture, DDP

A guided tour around DDP structures

DDP is the world’s largest, atypical 3D architecture designed by Zaha Hadid, the first female architect who has received the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The design features a new landscape of the Dongdaemun area that presents new futuristic values and visions built upon the historical, cultural, social and economic foundation that the area has inherited. Taking cues from the dynamics of the Dongdaemun area where change constantly unfolds from dawn to dusk, Zaha Hadid created a space where natural and man-made elements are seamlessly intertwined, using the uniquely architectural language that is made up of curves and curved surfaces with diagonal lines and surfaces. With this underlying concept, DDP added elements of a new landscape to the symbolic characteristics of the historical landmark Dongdaemun Gate.

During the tour, a guide will provide detailed information on each of the DDP structures as he or she shows you around DDP. We hope many citizens come and enjoy the tour. A reservation is required to join a tour.

To learn more about DDP tour