The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a spectacular, multi-cultural complex in Seoul, renowned globally for its neofuturistic architecture. Designed by the late, Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, the DDP is characterized by its powerful, sweeping, and curvilinear forms, often described as resembling a massive spaceship or a giant alien structure. Its exterior is clad in over 45,000 unique, curved aluminum panels, none of which are identical.
Opened in 2014 on the site of the former Dongdaemun Stadium, the DDP serves as a major hub for design, fashion, and culture in South Korea. The complex houses exhibition halls, conference venues, a design museum, a design lab, and a design market.
The plaza is a constant venue for major cultural happenings, most notably Seoul Fashion Week, alongside numerous art exhibitions, product launches, and international forums. Its public spaces, including the rooftop garden and illuminated facade (famous for the Seoul Light display), are open 24/7, making the DDP an iconic landmark for both day and night exploration.
