Seoul unveils plans for nation’s 1st hybrid timber eco-stadium along Han River

This rendered image shows a planned hybrid timber multipurpose international sports arena along the Han River. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that it will construct Korea’s first hybrid timber-structured multipurpose arena on the Han River waterfront.

Designed to host elite international combat sports competitions and double as a sprawling public park, the 199.9 billion won ($145 million) project is expected to revitalize a prime riverside site left largely underused for nearly five decades.

A joint design submission by Kawa Architects, Architectural Studio Isae, and DD Architects won the international design competition, beating out 27 other entries. The winning proposal features an innovative, circular stadium built with a hybrid timber framework — a structural rarity for large-scale public facilities in Korea. The evaluation committee highly praised the design for its sleek aesthetic harmony with the Han River landscape, its sophisticated interior spatial planning and its technical feasibility despite complex underground conditions, which include a subway line and waste treatment infrastructure.

Situated on a 50,916-square-meter plot in Gwangjang-dong near Gwangnaru Station, the site was initially designated for urban sports facilities in 1978 but languished in developmental limbo for decades. Following successful administrative clearances and central investment reviews in July 2025, the city's newly unveiled master plan will seamlessly integrate the new arena with pre-existing local hubs, including the Gwangjin District Sports Center and the YES24 Live Hall.

The stadium is engineered to meet rigorous international regulatory standards, capable of hosting premium training camps and global tournaments for combat sports such as taekwondo, judo and wrestling. On noncompetition days, the venue will transform into a flexible community center for amateur sports, cultural performances and public concerts.

To satisfy surrounding administrative demands, the complex will feature extensive underground public parking to alleviate neighborhood congestion. On the surface, the design maximizes openness by weaving continuous, multilayered public green spaces that connect the facility directly to the scenic Han River waterfront.

"The Gwangjang-dong complex will transcend the traditional role of sports infrastructure, serving as an open public space where daily community life and international sports culture seamlessly coexist," said Kim Yong-hak, director general of Seoul’s Future Space Planning Bureau.

The city will finalize the contract with the winning architects this month. Following an 18-month detailed design phase, construction is scheduled to break ground in April 2028, with an official opening targeted for August 2031.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.