The Seoul Architecture Biennale is making waves this year with a bold mission: to foster genuine dialogue with the public rather than merely echoing the familiar discussions found in other architecture festivals. This ambitious goal is championed by Thomas Heatherwick, the event's general director, who emphasizes the importance of engaging the city's residents in conversations about their built environment.
In an exclusive interview with Dezeen, Heatherwick expressed his desire to spark a dialogue about architecture that resonates with the everyday citizen. "Public discourse is crucial because it shapes the context that affects everyone, and we have often overlooked the need to communicate with the public," he stated. The British designer criticized the prevailing notion that the general populace lacks understanding, calling it a harmful perspective that undermines societal engagement.
Heatherwick pointed out that many creative biennales tend to cater exclusively to industry insiders, creating an insular environment. "There are hundreds of creative biennales out there, and they often serve only those within the profession," he noted. "We frequently find ourselves trapped in an echo chamber—much like how dentists might only discuss their field at a dentistry biennale. In construction, we have a similar issue where the industry talks amongst itself repeatedly. So, what value do we add by creating yet another event that does the same?"
He highlighted the significance of engaging with the local community, especially since the biennale is fully funded by the city of Seoul. This unique aspect provides a platform to broaden the conversation surrounding the aesthetics and functionality of buildings, a theme central to his ongoing Humanise campaign. "The fact that the Seoul Architecture Biennale is entirely city-funded is a rare opportunity in the world of biennales, and it propels us forward," Heatherwick remarked.
He lamented the lack of public discourse in architecture, contrasting it with the abundance of cooking shows on television. "In the past decade, there have been around 10,000 cooking shows, yet only about 70 focused on architecture and buildings. This indicates a significant communication gap. Just like food, the design of buildings profoundly impacts our daily lives," he explained.
To ensure that the public is aware of the biennale, Heatherwick's studio has designed a striking 90-meter-long twisted wall located in a prominent area of the city. This eye-catching installation serves as a focal point to draw attention to the event. "We recognized that the exhibition hall itself might not capture people's interest, so we were excited when the city allowed us to utilize one of the best public spaces in Seoul," he shared.
Heatherwick pointed out a common challenge faced by city-wide creative festivals: many citizens are often unaware of such events unless they are already part of the creative community. "In a bustling city, how do you effectively inform the public? You need to grab their attention," he said.
The Humanise Wall, situated in Songhyeon Green Plaza park, is adorned with images that reflect the ideals of the Humanise campaign, alongside specially commissioned pieces for the biennale. The design of the wall is inspired by a proposal Heatherwick made 26 years ago for Blackburn station in England, where he envisioned a multifunctional wall that served as both a windbreak and a piece of art. "It may seem random, but we had this beautiful hand-carved wooden model for years, and we always thought, 'one day, we will bring this to life,'" he recalled.
Heatherwick views the Humanise Wall as a vital starting point for engaging with the people of Seoul. It acts as an introduction to the biennale, inviting those interested to explore further. A series of pink dots will guide visitors from the wall to the main exhibition hall. "The Humanise Wall serves as a welcoming panel, encouraging everyone to come together. It’s like a magazine, but 16 meters high, creating a pavilion that offers shelter from the sun or rain while framing a performance space," he explained.
The wall is designed to facilitate a "call and response" dynamic, embodying the principles of the Humanise campaign, which Heatherwick launched in 2023. "One side of the wall presents a viewpoint and invites engagement, while the other side encourages responses—it's a dialogue in itself," he elaborated.
In addition to the main wall, there are 24 smaller sections, each crafted by creatives from around the globe, which Heatherwick likens to a large henge. He emphasized the importance of these 4.8-meter-high walls, designed to represent snippets of building exteriors, as they create a tangible presence that captivates the public. "If we had simply presented drawings or models, city officials and developers might have been satisfied, but we wanted something that provoked thought and asked, 'Why not make this a reality?'" he said.
Heatherwick believes that these large-scale installations will make the overarching themes of the biennale more accessible to the people of Seoul. He hopes that by making the event free, it will encourage greater public participation. "Sometimes, those of us in the architecture profession mistakenly assume that if something is popular among the general public, it must lack depth. I strive to create an invitation that spans both worlds," he remarked.
Ultimately, Heatherwick envisions the biennale as a sincere effort to foster broader conversations about architecture, which he believes will lead to improved design quality. "Our biennale is a genuine attempt to invite a larger dialogue, as I believe we all stand to gain from it. When people create things they care about, they are less likely to want to demolish them, and we can become better stewards for future generations by creating structures worth preserving and adapting," he concluded.
The Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism is set to take place from September 26 to November 18, 2025, in Seoul, South Korea. For a comprehensive list of architecture and design events happening worldwide, check out the Dezeen Events Guide.
