MATERIALISM Exhibition in Seoul: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) Hours, Free Entry & Getting There
MATERIALISM is the first curated exhibition in Korea by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), the internationally known architecture firm. It runs from November 7, 2026 to February 28, 2027 at the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture (서울도시건축전시관) in Jung-gu, Seoul, and admission is free. The hall is a one-minute walk from Exit 3 of City Hall Station, so a visit fits easily alongside Deoksugung Palace.
What Is the MATERIALISM Exhibition About?
Bjarke Ingels, who founded BIG, is known for buildings that are distinctive and experimental yet still designed around the people who use them and what they need. This exhibition is organized around 10 building materials, including stone, earth, concrete, metal, and wood, with displays and models built around each one. As you move through it, you follow BIG’s architecture from its past to its present work, and the show asks where sustainable urban architecture should go next.
The Seoul show is based on BIG’s “Materialism” exhibition, which opened first at the Suzhou Museum of Contemporary Art in China in January 2026. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is the host, with BIG, Maker, and Wayd as partners.
MATERIALISM Exhibition Dates and Opening Hours
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Exhibition period | November 7, 2026 – February 28, 2027 |
| Opening hours | 10:00 – 18:00 |
| Saturdays | Extended hours until 21:00 |
| Last entry | 17:30 (the venue’s standard hours) |
| Closed | Every Monday (the following day if Monday is a public holiday), January 1, Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year), Chuseok (Korean harvest festival) |
| Location | Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture, B2 and B3 |
| Address | 서울특별시 중구 세종대로 119 (태평로1가) |
| Contact | 02-736-8050 |
Weekday evenings aren’t an option, but on Saturdays the doors stay open until 9 p.m. If you want to come after work or later in the day, plan for a Saturday. The last-entry time for Saturday’s extended hours isn’t listed, so check the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture website before you go.
Floor-by-Floor: What You’ll See
The exhibition starts on B3 of the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture and ends on B2.
| Space | What’s on display |
|---|---|
| B3 Bium Hall | Material display tables, chairs made from the materials, about 50 models of major projects |
| B3 Gallery 2 | About 60 study models |
| B2 Gallery 1 | Final video room |
The 10 materials are stone, earth, concrete, metal, glass, wood, textiles, plastic, plants, and recycled materials. You can touch the samples and sit on chairs made from them. It’s an exhibition you experience with your hands, not one you only look at.
Docent Tours, Talks, and Other Programs
A docent program led by professional guides has only been announced as “coming soon.” No schedule or registration details have been released yet, and as of November 10, 2026, the “Current Programs” page on the venue’s website has no programs listed.
The special lecture “미래도시건축 이야기” (roughly, “Stories of Future Urban Architecture”) from the original announcement took place on November 5, 2026, before the exhibition opened, so it’s already over. News about new programs will be posted on the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture website and its official Instagram (@seoulhour).
How Much Is MATERIALISM Admission?
| Type | Admission |
|---|---|
| Exhibition entry | Free |
You don’t need a ticket. Just walk in any time during opening hours.
Getting to the MATERIALISM Exhibition at Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture
The Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture sits right next to Deoksugung Palace. City Hall Station is the closest subway station.
| From / Transport | Route | Travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Subway | City Hall Station (Lines 1 & 2), Exit 3 | 1-minute walk |
| Trunk buses (blue) | 103, 150, 172, 401, 402, 405, 406, 472 | - |
| Branch buses (green) | 1711, 7016, 7022 | - |
| Village buses | Jongno09, Jongno11 | - |
| Incheon International Airport | Airport buses 6005, 6701 (stops listed in the venue’s official directions) | Not confirmed |
Official sources don’t give a travel time or fare for the airport buses from Incheon International Airport, so check the route details before you board.
Parking: The Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture has no parking of its own. Please use public transportation.
Visitor Tips
- It’s closed on Mondays. When a Monday is a public holiday, the hall closes the next day instead, so check before visiting over a long weekend.
- Go on a Saturday for an evening visit. Saturday is the only day with extended hours, until 21:00.
- Leave the car behind. There’s no parking, and the subway is the easiest way in, since the hall is a one-minute walk from City Hall Station.
- Touch the materials and sit on the chairs. The material tables and the chairs made from the materials are there for you to try, so take your time.
- Pair it with Deoksugung Palace. The hall is right beside the palace, so you can easily visit both.
- Watch Instagram for docent news. Once docent tours are scheduled, they’ll be announced on the website and @seoulhour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BIG MATERIALISM exhibition free?
Yes, it’s free. You don’t need to book or buy a ticket. Just visit during opening hours.
What are the MATERIALISM exhibition dates and opening hours?
It runs from November 7, 2026 to February 28, 2027, open 10:00–18:00. On Saturdays it stays open until 21:00. Last entry is 17:30 under the venue’s standard hours.
Is the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture closed on Mondays?
Yes, it’s closed every Monday. When a Monday is a public holiday, it closes the next day instead. It’s also closed on January 1, Seollal, and Chuseok.
Is there parking at the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture?
No, the hall has no parking. It’s a one-minute walk from Exit 3 of City Hall Station (Lines 1 & 2), so please take public transportation.
How do I get from City Hall Station to the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture?
Leave City Hall Station by Exit 3, and you’ll be there after a one-minute walk. The hall is right next to Deoksugung Palace.
Can I get there directly from Incheon International Airport?
The venue’s official directions list airport buses 6005 and 6701 as stopping routes. Travel time and fare have not been confirmed, so check the route details before you board.
When and how can I sign up for a docent tour?
No schedule or registration details have been announced yet. The docent program with professional guides is listed as “coming soon,” and updates will be posted on the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture website and Instagram (@seoulhour).
Can I still attend Bjarke Ingels’s special lecture?
No, the special lecture “미래도시건축 이야기” (roughly, “Stories of Future Urban Architecture”) took place on November 5, 2026. The “Current Programs” page on the venue’s website doesn’t list any lectures right now.
Which materials are featured in the exhibition?
The exhibition features 10 building materials: stone, earth, concrete, metal, glass, wood, textiles, plastic, plants, and recycled materials. You can touch them and sit on chairs made from them.
Who should I contact with questions about the exhibition?
Call the Seoul Hall of Urbanism & Architecture at 02-736-8050.
