A collaborative success in place branding and public environmental design between Jeongseon-gun and the Gangwon Design Promotion Institute.

Applying the "Layers of Nature" concept to visualize natural characteristics, seamlessly connecting visitors' experiences and memories.

The Gangwon Design Promotion Institute announced that "Mindungsan Experience Route: An Overwhelming 200,000-Pyeong Silver Grass Field," developed in collaboration with Jeongseon-gun, won the Presidential Award—the highest honor—at the '2026 GOOD DESIGN KOREA', hosted by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and organized by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP). Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics’ "Galaxy Z Fold8" and Hyundai Motor’s "MobED" were respectively selected for the Prime Minister’s Award.

The evaluation for this year's Good Design Korea took place from September 17 to 18 at the Korea Design Center. The judging panel focused on entries that went beyond basic form and function, offering novel values and solving social issues across diverse areas such as space, environment, and user experience.

The Presidential Award-winning project, "Mindungsan Experience Route: An Overwhelming 200,000-Pyeong Silver Grass Field," is a place-branding and public environmental design project that reinterprets Mindungsan Mountain’s unique natural environment and the entire journey of visitor experience through design. Initiated in 2024, the project has been continuously expanded and developed across three phases.

The project visualizes Mindungsan’s unique natural features—such as its ridges, silver grass, doline (karst topography), and red soil—under the concept of "Layers of Nature." By applying this concept consistently to trail signages and village entrance structures, visitors can naturally perceive the identity of the place throughout their journey to the mountain.

Crucially, rather than stopping at the installation of individual facilities, the project connects visitors' movements and memories into a continuous, chain-like experience. It also operates a brand promotion hall that highlights the value of the location, offering visitors a more immersive experience.

Furthermore, the project achieved significant milestones in addressing social issues beyond simple environmental improvements. By drastically enhancing the quality of the visitor experience, it drove tourist growth and stimulated the local economy, earning high praise for presenting a design-driven solution to regional depopulation challenges faced by Gangwon Province.

Jin Jae-han, President of the Gangwon Design Promotion Institute, stated, “This is the result of local governments, specialized institutions, and design companies joining forces to translate Mindungsan’s unique natural value into an experience-centric design. Moving forward, we will continue to provide high-quality public design experiences and elevate the brand value of the Gangwon region.”

Meanwhile, the Presidential Award-winning project will be specially exhibited at the 'DESIGN KOREA 2026' event, running from November 25 to 29, with the award ceremony scheduled for early December.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]