"The Giant Whales" Merit Interactive Headquarters — designed by LYCS Architecture with architecture, interior, and exhibition integration design — has been invited to be showcased at the 2025 "100 Architects of the Year" International Exhibition, held from October 21 to 25, 2025, at Nodeul Island, a multidisciplinary cultural venue on the banks of the Han River in Seoul, South Korea.
Merit Interactive Headquarters is conceived under the design theme “The Giant Whale Leaped Out of Ocean,” where three towers and a unified podium form a dynamic architectural ensemble with a light yet powerful urban presence. Its façade combines diagonal geometries with scale-like reflections, while multi-level walkways and rooftop spaces foster openness and interaction. Inside, ocean-inspired elements and an integrated spatial strategy support flexible, collaborative work modes, making the building an emblem of corporate culture and urban vitality.
The 2025 "100 Architects of the Year" International Exhibition is jointly initiated by the Korean Institute of Architects (KIA) and the International Union of Architects (UIA), and is presented in parallel with this year's Korean International Architecture Festival. Established in 2012 and held annually, it has grown into the world's first UIA-recognized international invitational exhibition, bringing together contemporary architectural trends and leading ideas from architects worldwide, while offering the public diverse perspectives on architectural culture.
