A multiuse sports complex combining a multipurpose international arena and a public parking lot will be built near Gwangnaru Station in Gwangjin District, Seoul.
The Seoul city government said on the 1st that, as a result of the design competition review for the "Gwangjang-dong multiuse sports complex construction project," it selected as the final winner the entry jointly submitted by Gawa General Architects, ISEK Architects, and DD Architects.
The site is a 50,916-square-meter sports facility lot along the Han River, where a specialized sports facility will be created that can host international competitions and training for combat sports such as taekwondo, judo, and wrestling. On days without events, it will be used as a space for community sports and cultural performances. The city also plans to build a public parking lot together to help ease the parking shortage near Gwangnaru Station.
A total of 28 entries were submitted to the design competition. The jury focused on evaluating the completeness and public nature of the complex, as well as strategies for integrating with existing facilities and external spaces on the site. The winning entry proposed a circular arena with a hybrid timber structure, which is rare among large-scale buildings in Korea. The use of timber together with other structural materials to secure both aesthetic form and structural feasibility received high marks.
After signing a design contract with the winner, the city will push the project with a groundbreaking in Apr. 2028 and a completion target of Aug. 2031. A total of 199.9 billion won from the city budget is expected to be invested. The planned design cost is 9.3 billion won, and the planned construction cost is 156.7 billion won.