November 25, 2024

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Hanlim Architectural Group Chairman Park Jin-sun (left) and NBBJ CEO Robert Mankin pose for a photo at a partnership signing ceremony held at NBBJ's Los Angeles office on Jan. 15. (Hanlim Architectural Group)

Hanlim Architectural Group, an end-to-end real estate service company from South Korea, has partnered with American architectural firm NBBJ to foster international growth and support Seoul's urban innovation initiatives.

The partnership was formalized at NBBJ's Los Angeles office on Jan. 15, amid the presence of Hanlim Architectural Group Chairman Park Jin-sun, NBBJ CEO Robert Mankin, Design Leader Pascal Suh and Real Estate Strategist Rick Pauios. Representing the global design initiative, Lee Ji-yeon, head of Hanlim's global design headquarters, also attended.

Founded in 1943, NBBJ has garnered international acclaim for its innovative, eco-friendly designs, collaborating with American firms like Amazon, Alibaba and Microsoft, as well as South Korean conglomerates such as Samsung Electronics, Naver and CJ.

Hanlim Chairman Park also held discussions with Morphosis in Los Angeles, a globally acclaimed architecture firm, focusing on the development of innovative, eco-friendly buildings in Seoul. Morphosis has contributed to Seoul's architectural scene with projects like the Kolon One&Only Tower, which features fabric curtains and LED lights to create an energy-efficient facade.

This new partnership with NBBJ is part of Hanlim’s strategy to support the Seoul Metropolitan Government's vision for urban and architectural innovation, aiming to enhance Seoul’s urban appeal.

To facilitate the city’s vision, Hanlim will launch Hanlim Urban Global, a project aiming to combine the expertise of Hanlim’s Global Design Headquarters with top-tier architectural firms from around the world. The scope of this partnership will extend beyond Korea, with plans to develop customized urban infrastructure in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Chairman Park of Hanlim said he perceives this international expansion as a strategic opportunity. By deploying a comprehensive end-to-end real estate service model for overseas development, he intends to explore and harness potential growth avenues.

By Moon Joon-hyun (mjh@heraldcorp.com)