The first spokeless Ferris wheel will also be the second-tallest in the world.
The new Peace Park Wheel, a landmark project initiated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul, is named the Seoul Twin Eye. Designed by international architecture studio UNStudio in collaboration with Arup and local Korean firm Heerim Architecture, the spokeless Ferris wheel is the first of its kind.
The proposed construction of the 180-metre-tall structure – making it the second-largest Ferris wheel in the world, after Dubai’s 250-metre-tall Ain Duba (currently closed) – will begin in 2025. It will feature two interlocking rings, providing both stability and a unique aesthetic. On each ring, the capsules will smoothly rotate along both interior and exterior tracks. The wheel will accommodate 64 capsules, each capable of carrying up to 25 people - a possible total capacity of 1 600 people at a time, double that of the popular London Eye.
The design 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.
‘Located in the heart of the city, this spokeless design references Korea’s boundless ambition for innovation and spirit of progress, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with a timeless appreciation for stability and beauty,’ says Ben van Berkel, founder of and principal architect at UNStudio.
The Seoul Twin Eye will be built on a 40-metre-high new cultural complex that is expected to house an exhibition space, a performance hall, retail, and food and beverage outlets. The wheel will stand on this podium, reaching a combined height of 220 metres and offering expansive panoramic views of Seoul.
The Seoul Twin Eye, which should be completed by 2028, is part of the mayor of Seoul’s vision, ‘Han River with a Thousand Sunsets’, a plan to create a thousand spots along the Han River as public spaces for the people of Seoul.
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