British designer Thomas Heatherwick has unveiled a large-scale installation called the Humanise Wall at the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism. This 90-meter-long, four-story-high twisted steel structure serves as a central point for the event. Located in the Songhyeon Green Plaza park in central Seoul, the wall aims to draw public attention to the biennale and its core message.
Heatherwick, who is the general director for this year's biennale, revealed the wall during the opening ceremony. The structure is covered with images of buildings and specially commissioned pieces. These visuals and texts broadly support the ideals of the 'Humanise' campaign, which is the theme of the biennale.
Key Takeaways
- Thomas Heatherwick designed the 90-meter-long Humanise Wall.
- The wall is a centerpiece for the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism.
- Its purpose is to engage the public and promote the 'Humanise' campaign.
- The structure features 1,428 steel tiles with images and text.
- It acts as a physical 'introduction panel' for the city-wide festival.
Engaging the Public with Architectural Ideas
The primary goal behind the Humanise Wall is to capture the attention of Seoul's residents. Thomas Heatherwick explained that many city-wide festivals often struggle to reach the general public. He noted that outside of a small group, most citizens are unaware such events are happening.
"The challenge of many city-wide creativity festivals is that actually, when you speak to a normal citizen and ask them whether they know that there is a city-wide festival of design happening, most people, other than the people in the bubble, won't even know it's going on," Heatherwick told Dezeen in an interview. "So in a busy city, how do you actually let citizens really know? You grab people's attention."
The design intends for the wall to function as a large billboard. It is meant to start conversations among people in Seoul. Those who wish to learn more can read the detailed text on the wall or proceed to other exhibits. These additional displays are located at the nearby Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture.
Fact File
- Dimensions: 90 meters long, four stories high (approximately 16 meters).
- Material: Steel structure clad in 1,428 steel tiles.
- Location: Songhyeon Green Plaza park, central Seoul.
- Purpose: Public engagement and awareness for the Seoul Biennale.
Design and Construction of the Twisted Wall
Designed by Heatherwick Studio, the Humanise Wall features a distinctive twisted form. This twisting motion through 180 degrees creates a central pavilion-like space. This area can serve as a performance stage, a sun shelter, or a rain shelter for visitors. Heatherwick described it as "almost like a magazine, but 16-metres high."
The structure is built with a robust steel frame. It is then covered with 1,428 individual steel tiles. These tiles are crucial for displaying the visual and textual content. The content itself is designed as a "call and response," directly drawing on the ideas of the Humanise campaign.
Content and Messaging
The wall presents different messages on each of its two main sides. The side facing the park outlines Heatherwick's perspective on the current state of architecture. This section includes an introduction to his ideas and a critique of what he calls the "blandemic." It also showcases images of 400 interesting buildings by 110 architects from around the world.
Conversely, the side facing the roads addresses potential solutions and future actions. This section is titled "what can we do." It features nine specific responses developed by various creatives from Seoul. This dual approach aims to both highlight current issues and inspire future possibilities in urban design and architecture.
Biennale Background
The Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism is a significant international event. It brings together architects, urban planners, and the public to discuss the future of cities. The 'Humanise' campaign emphasizes putting human experience and well-being at the forefront of architectural and urban design decisions. This year's biennale runs from September 26 to November 18, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea.
The 'Humanise' Campaign and Broader Conversation
Thomas Heatherwick emphasized that the biennale, and the wall itself, represent a genuine effort to foster wider discussion. He believes that architecture and urbanism should be topics that engage everyone, not just industry professionals. The Humanise Wall is a physical manifestation of this desire for broader participation.
The installation's location in a public park makes it accessible to a diverse audience. It encourages casual interaction with complex architectural ideas. By presenting both criticisms of current trends and potential solutions, the wall invites people to think critically about their urban environments.
- The side facing the park: Focuses on the "blandemic" in architecture and showcases diverse architectural examples.
- The side facing the roads: Presents "what can we do" with nine responses from Seoul creatives.
The photography for the Humanise Wall was provided by Yongjoon Choi. This collaboration highlights the artistic and communicative aspects of the installation. The biennale aims to be a platform where citizens can engage with the future of their city and the role of design in shaping human experiences.
The overall message of the biennale, as articulated by Heatherwick, is to make architecture more relatable and impactful for everyday life. The Humanise Wall stands as a testament to this vision, inviting engagement and reflection from everyone who encounters it.