The Hong Kong Green Building Council led a four-day delegation to South Korea from 2 to 5 June 2025, in line with its commitment to fostering connections between HKGBC members and global counterparts to unlock new learning opportunities and accelerate green building development. The delegation comprised 35 professionals representing a broad spectrum of the green building industry. This included the HKGBC Chairman, Directors and Secretariat Staff, representatives from the HKSAR Government, and HKGBC Members from developers, consultants, architects, material suppliers and industry associations.
The delegation delved into the future of sustainable urban development, with a focus on Korea’s G-SEED green building certification system, strategies for retrofitting buildings to zero-energy standards, and smart city master planning. Participants visited a range of innovative green building projects and witnessed firsthand the latest advancements in energy-efficient technologies and robotic solutions shaping climate-resilient, future-ready communities.
Key visits included：
- Lotte World Tower – The sixth tallest building in the world, continuously improving energy efficiency through retrofitting and innovative solutions.
- Amorepacific Headquarters – Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, this flagship building exemplifies green design standards that prioritise user comfort and community connection.
- Magok Citywalk – Featuring the Tadao Ando-designed LG Art Center, this emerging business district is a hub for the knowledge industry, housing LG Science Park, Space K, and Kolon One & Only Tower.
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza – A futuristic architectural marvel by Zaha Hadid, DDP is the world’s largest three-dimensional atypical building and a renowned cultural landmark.
- TOPIS Center – Seoul’s smart metropolitan management hub, utilising big data to oversee transportation, disaster response, and urban security.
- HD Hyundai Global R&D Center – South Korea’s first large-scale exposed steel building, powered by smart energy systems.
- Parc.1 – A thoughtfully designed commercial complex that seamlessly blends timeless architectural elegance with modern design innovation.
- Seoul Energy Dream Center – Korea's first public zero-energy building, a leading educational facility inspiring the transition to renewable energy and efficient energy use.
- Seoul Robot & AI Museum – The world’s first museum dedicated to robotics and AI, offering an interactive experience of transformative technologies.
- Seoul City Hall – A historic building revitalised through green remodelling, now a vibrant hub for administrative affairs and public engagements.
In addition to site visits, the delegation engaged in in-depth exchanges with the Korea Green Building Council and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, sharing valuable insights into Hong Kong and South Korea’s green building initiatives, regulatory frameworks, and certification systems. These discussions, along with meetings with Korean industry leaders, facilitated meaningful knowledge exchange and strengthened international connections within the building sector.
This visionary journey has further propelled Hong Kong’s green building movement, paving the way for future global partnerships to build a greener, smarter world.