Korea Electric Power Corp. above-ground equipment casings receive color and design treatments that blend with surrounding streetscapes — a standard type preserving the material's natural hue and a specialized type tailored to each location
Colorful power distribution boxes have become a distinctive feature of streets across Yongsan-gu in Seoul.
What were once drab utility casings have been transformed into eye-catching works of public art through vibrant color treatments.
The effort paid off Saturday, when Yongsan-gu received the Blue Award — the Value Prize — at the 24th Korea Color Design Awards ceremony held at the Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province Design Center. The district was recognized for its Korea Electric Power Corp. above-ground equipment casing design project, titled "Urban Secret Box in Yongsan."
Organized by the Korean Society of Color Studies, the Korea Color Design Awards is one of the country's leading competitions in the color field. Established in 2003, the contest marks its 24th edition this year and recognizes outstanding examples of color application that contribute to the development of color culture and the vitalization of related industries.
Yongsan-gu was praised for applying color and design to power supply facilities installed throughout its streets, improving the urban streetscape while also enhancing the practical utility of the structures.
The project grew out of concerns about the rapidly changing streetscape of Yongsan, a district undergoing large-scale redevelopment. The district government decided to treat the above-ground power supply units scattered across its streets as elements that shape the city's image, and developed casing designs that harmonize with their surroundings while maintaining visual consistency.
The name "Urban Secret Box" reflects an intention to make familiar infrastructure feel more approachable to residents by adding new colors and functions. The design system is built around a "standard type" that prioritizes visual unity across the urban environment, with an optional "specialized type" that layers in location-specific character and lifestyle conveniences.
The standard type draws on the natural light-gray color and texture of ultra-high-performance concrete, allowing the casings to blend naturally into a wide range of urban settings.
The specialized type varies in color and function depending on the surrounding environment and the character of each space. The "sensory play" variant adds color to rotating, touchable ball elements that invite interaction. The "facility combination" variant integrates lifestyle amenities such as benches and tables. The "graphic" variant incorporates imagery and local stories, drawing on winning entries from the 2025 Yongsan-gu Temporary Fence Design Competition.
Through the project, the district plans to keep background street fixtures visually tidy while selectively adding color and practical features where needed, striking a balance between citywide consistency and the distinct character of individual locations.
"The color of a city is a vital element that changes the impression of its streets and raises the value of its spaces," Yongsan-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-dae said. "We will apply thoughtful design to every piece of public infrastructure encountered in daily life, creating a harmonious and attractive urban environment."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
