Gangnam-gu wins Korea Public Design Award for Seonjeongneung project

Gangnam-gu has received the Korea Public Design Award, specifically the Korea Craft & Design Foundation Chairman's Award, for its ‘Seonjeongneung Heritage Brand Experience Design’ project. The initiative aims to integrate the historical and natural value of the Seonjeongneung World Heritage site into the surrounding urban environment.

The project focuses on a 2.1 km historical and cultural street surrounding the royal tombs. By applying symbolic designs—inspired by traditional roof tiles, ridge lines, and the red color of Hongsalmun gates—to 17 different facilities including benches, signage, floor elements, and night lighting, the district has created a unified visual identity.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the project introduced sensory content titled ‘Hyang, Eum, Bo, Mul’ (Scent, Sound, Treasure, Object). This includes seasonal forest scents, ambient nature music, audio guides regarding local architecture and ecology, and souvenirs featuring traditional elements like stone tigers and horses. The award recognizes the successful transformation of a historical site into an accessible, everyday cultural experience for citizens.