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| A miniature model of Gapado Project / Courtesy of Hyundai Card |
By Park Hyong-ki
Hyundai Card's "Gapado Project" in collaboration with the Jeju local government and One O One, a local architecture firm, is being spotlighted for its contribution to redeveloping and restoring Gapa Island.
Gapa is a small island located about 2 kilometers south of Jeju Island, which administers it. The credit card company started the project in 2012 with its partners to help design and build a cultural center, and restore the fishing and agricultural ecosystems on the island.
They completed the project in 2018.
This was part of efforts to help the island attract young adults to start companies there in agriculture, and prevent an exodus of young people. They also sought to boost tourism.
The project was highlighted in a special cover story in the February edition of Domus, an Italian trade magazine for architects and designers.
Architect Gio Ponti founded the magazine, which is sold in more than 90 countries, in 1928, according to Hyundai Card.
The project has also been recognized at the International Forum (iF) Design Awards in Hanover, Germany.
Earlier this year, it won the Region Branding Award at the ceremony, whose annual forum is celebrating its 66th anniversary this year.
The iF Design is considered one of the big three design awards along with Red Dot Design and IDEA Design.
"We will aim to promote Gapa Island as a model for restoration and redevelopment globally," Hyundai Card said in a press statement.
The card company said the project can serve as an exemplar model of a private, public, academic partnership. It has also worked with Kyonggi University's architecture department.
Hyundai Card has been widely known for its work in culture with marketing campaigns to promote its brand with museums and movie theaters.
Recently, it said the company seeks to become an IT company with a focus on using technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analysis.
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