Redefining Seoul's skyline: 30 landmarks chosen by city's residents

For years, municipal authorities and elite panels of architects have quietly dictated the aesthetic future of Korea’s capital. Now, the city is letting the public decide which buildings deserve to define the skyline of the ultramodern metropolis. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced Monday the publication of the "2025 Excellent Design Collection," a curated compendium showcasing 30 outstanding architectural designs vetted during last year’s municipal review processes. Unlike traditional architectural retrospectives, the finalized rankings were determined through direct public voting, splitting the selections evenly across three distinct categories: public infrastructure, commercial developments and residential complexes. The resulting catalog functions as a blueprint for the city’s evolving urban philosophy. Among the premier projects driving this transformation is the upcoming Gangbuk District Office Complex, a civic hub designed to decentralize city services while introducing green public spaces. In the commercial sector, the massive Jamsil Sports and MICE Complex captured