A HYBRID BETWEEN A CLASSIC FERRIS WHEEL AND A ROLLER COASTER, THE SPOKELESS FERRIS WHEEL ‘SEOUL TWIN EYE’ BY UNSTUDIO IS SET TO BE THE NEW LANDMARK OF SEOUL
TEXT: MONGKON PONGANUTREE
IMAGE COURTESY OF UNSTUDIO
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A Ferris wheel is a ride seen in amusement parks. It is named after George W.G. Ferris, who invented and built it as a landmark for the World’s Columbian Expo in Chicago in 1893. It has become a popular ride in amusement parks and, in recent years, has become a ‘must have’ in big cities and metropolises around the world.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently commissioned UNStudio to develop a vision proposal for the new Peace Park Wheel, a significant undertaking for Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul. UNStudio’s design was selected as the winner of the preliminary competition, and the consortium has been chosen to partner with Seoul Housing & Communities Corp. to propose the design to the City of Seoul.
Currently named ‘Seoul Twin Eye,’ the project is part of the Mayor of Seoul’s vision, ‘Han River with a Thousand Sunsets’, a vision to create a thousand spots along the Han River as public spaces for the people of Seoul. The 180-meter-high structure is slated to be built on the edge of the Han River, next to the World Cup Stadium. It will be the first of its kind, operating as a spokeless Ferris wheel with two intersecting rings. Each ring carries pods that seamlessly revolve around inside and outside tracks. The Seoul Twin Eye will accommodate 64 capsules, each accommodating 20 – 25 people. In total, it can provide rides to more than 1,400 people simultaneously, almost doubling the capacity of the London Eye.
With a diameter of 180 meters, the wheel will be built upon a 40-meter-high new cultural complex that is expected to house an exhibition space, a performance hall, and retail and food and beverage outlets. The Seoul Twin Eye will stand atop this podium, reaching a height of 220 meters and becoming the world’s tallest spokeless Ferris wheel. As such, it will ensure the most expansive panoramic views possible of Seoul.
The proposal also included plans to build a monorail connecting the subway station to the Ferris wheel and a zip line to add an extra visitor experience. According to UNStudio, the team focused on the concept of unity as a symbol for the design. The wheel is inspired by the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock that represents the movement of celestial objects through time. The double-ring structure of the Seoul Twin Eye provides stability and a unique aesthetic. For the recently unveiled vision proposal, UNStudio teamed up with Arup, who reviewed the proposed structure’s earthquake and wind resistance.
It may not be a traditional Ferris wheel, but its spokeless design gives it the appearance of a hybrid between a classic Ferris wheel and a roller coaster. When contrasted with the Ferris wheels found along the riverbanks of other major cities, UNStudio’s design appears more futuristic. Seeing how much of a fresh draw Seoul can be is fascinating. Still, we won’t need to wait for long as the project is scheduled to begin construction around 2025 after undergoing a final phase review by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, and completion is expected in 2028.
