Arup’s Post

As the Seoul Biennale comes to a close, we’re reflecting on an inspiring few months of ideas, creativity, and collaboration. Through the Walls of Public Life, curated by Heatherwick Studio, we joined 24 extraordinary creatives – from architects and artisans to chefs and designers – to explore how we can make the outsides of buildings more joyful, human, and engaging. Together, we reimagined how architecture can express identity, emotion, and connection in the public realm. Our installation, High Rise Hanok, celebrates Seoul’s layers of memory and renewal. Inspired by Hanok architecture and the craft of Jogakbo, it transforms reclaimed wood into a vivid, geometric façade crowned with an undulating mass timber canopy – turning waste into beauty, and tradition into new possibilities. Through this work, we explore how modern technology can reinterpret traditional design. By merging digital fabrication with human-centred, regenerative thinking, we aim to show that cities can be not only smarter, but also more emotionally resonant and connected to their cultural roots. Thank you to everyone who visited, shared insights, and joined the conversation. As the Biennale closes, the question remains open: How can design make our cities more joyful, human, and connected? Learn more: https://bit.ly/44yP57s Humanise.org #WeAreArup #HighRiseHanok #WallsOfPublicLife #SustainableDesign #Jogakbo #DesignForPeople #Humanise