DK ASIA’s “New Geomdan Royal Park City II 5D Landscaping” Recognized Globally





On the 14th, DK ASIA announced that New Geomdan Royal Park City II received the Honourable Mention at the 2025 IFLA APR LA & Luminary Awards, held at the JWCC (Jio World Convention Centre) in Mumbai, India. Hosted by the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA), which has over 80 member countries, the awards are regarded as the highest international recognition in the landscaping field. The accolade affirms DK ASIA’s unparalleled landscaping expertise on the global stage.

For the award, DK ASIA submitted the project “Beyond Green: New Geomdan Resort City”. The project’s centerpiece is the world’s first 5D landscaping, which adds the dimension of time to the conventional five senses—sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste—allowing residents to experience seasonal and temporal changes and enjoy continuously renewed and rich landscaping throughout the year.

The design also draws inspiration from Italy’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Villa d’Este in Tivoli, reinterpreted in a modern context. Mulching techniques, inspired by Renaissance architectural aesthetics, were applied to ensure enduring beauty and maintenance perfection. Furthermore, the project harmoniously integrates water, trees, stones, and colors, elevating the landscaping to an artistic and natural masterpiece.

New Geomdan Royal Park City II features a 430-meter-long sculptural waterway along the central axis, Royal Canal Avenue. For the first time in a Korean apartment complex, a 55-meter-long Canal Walk connects two tea houses, offering residents a sophisticated strolling experience. The waterways, beyond serving as scenic elements, symbolize abundance, beauty, life, and harmony, reflecting Roman humanistic traditions and allowing the city’s residents to feel nature’s presence within an urban environment. The complex also features 100 fountains, including the largest European-style sculpture fountain in a domestic apartment complex—7 meters high and 12 meters wide—creating a majestic visual landscape. Large trees, including Taxus cuspidata, pine, zelkova, oak, and elm, complement medium-sized trees such as red maples, golden euonymus, bamboo, and camellia, achieving a balanced and sophisticated aesthetic.

Rare specialty trees sourced from southern regions, including Taxus cuspidata, camellia, holly, crape myrtle, and bamboo, are strategically planted across the complex. Seasonal flowerings of roses, hydrangeas, begonias, alliums, and pink muhly create a four-season garden. With a tree density three times higher than standard apartment complexes, the site exudes the vitality of a lush forest.

DK ASIA invested the highest level of landscaping costs in Korea to achieve this world-class project, spending over 3.8 million KRW per pyeong. In comparison, landscaping for new city apartments typically costs under 1 million KRW per pyeong, and high-end Gangnam reconstruction apartments, such as One Bailey (S Co.), Maple Xi (G Co.), and Acro River Park (D Co.), cost 1.6–1.9 million KRW per pyeong. This means New Geomdan Royal Park City II invested 200–250% more than standard projects, surpassing even top-tier resorts such as Sol Beach (D Co.) and Ananti (A Co.), allowing residents to enjoy a truly premium environment.

Thanks to this exceptional landscaping, the complex has become a site visited by major construction companies, Seoul redevelopment associations, domestic resorts, academia, and international developers. Following DK ASIA’s previous project at Geomam Station Royal Park City I, the landscaping for New Geomdan Royal Park City II’s 1,500-unit complex was executed using the Nominated Sub-Contractor (NSC) method with Samsung C&T Resort Division (Everland)—the first such approach for Korean apartments. DK ASIA handled planning, design, and landscaping concept, while Samsung C&T Resort Division provided rare tree procurement and sustainable landscaping techniques, resulting in a globally recognized project.

Additional experiential content will also be introduced. From December 1, the public can enjoy the upgraded “Landscaping Culture Experience Program” and Royal Train Service, experiencing the world-class landscaping firsthand. Winter attractions include rye fields maintaining greenery, real aircraft displays from the movie Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning (two planes), a heart-shaped mulching zone symbolizing love, and framed photo zones. A 5.6 km earthen path enhances residents’ health and daily satisfaction, establishing the complex as a landmark and tourist destination in the metropolitan area. Weekend visitors with prior reservations can experience six-star-level community and high-end residential services, highlighting the premium lifestyle offered. In addition to the IFLA award, New Geomdan Royal Park City II has been recognized with the 2025 Good Design Award, marking the first apartment complex to connect two tea houses via a Canal Walk, highlighting the project’s design excellence. DK ASIA also won Good Design Awards in 2023 for the concierge lounge and indoor gym at Geomam Station Royal Park City.

The Royal Park City brand consistently ranks high in the High-End Residential Brand Reputation Index by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, leading in community, communication, and participation indices alongside Hyundai Construction’s DH and Lotte Construction’s Leel. The brand has thus cemented its position as a lifestyle leader for Korea’s VIP residents, transcending conventional luxury apartments. Kim Jung-mo, CEO of DK ASIA, stated: “This IFLA award is an official recognition of DK ASIA’s landscaping capabilities on the global stage. By introducing the world’s first 5D landscaping, reinterpreting Italy’s Renaissance masterpiece Villa d’Este, and applying precise mulching techniques, we achieved a creative and professional result that sets new standards in global landscaping trends. Based on the philosophy of 5D landscaping that perfectly harmonizes nature, art, and residents’ lives, we will continue innovative investments and ensure Royal Park City becomes Korea’s first premium resort-style apartment and a representative high-end residential brand.”