Call for proposal: Dutch garden at the 2026 Taean International Horticultural & Healing Expo, South Korea

2026 Taean International Horticultural & Healing Expo

The Expo will take place from April 25 to May 24, 2026 (30 days, operating daily from 09:00–18:00), in Anmyeondo Kkotji Beach Park, Taean-gun, South Korea. Officially recognized by the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), it is the world’s first international horticultural exposition dedicated to the theme: 'Healthy Future from Nature: Gardening & Healing'.

Spanning more than 87 hectares, the Expo will feature immersive thematic pavilions, outdoor therapeutic gardens, interactive programs, and nighttime events—highlighting the link between nature, biodiversity, and human well-being. With over 1.8 million visitors expected from more than 40 countries, the Expo serves as a global platform for ecological awareness, sustainability, and cultural exchange.

A key feature of the Expo is the Global Healing Garden, where each participating country creates a culturally inspired healing garden. These gardens emphasize not only botanical beauty, but also ecological resilience, urban greening, and nature-based solutions for healthier living environments.

As part of this initiative, and at the request of the organizers, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands will host the Dutch garden space. We are now seeking visionary Dutch designers or firms to conceptualize and create a garden that reflects the Netherlands' values, landscape identity, and innovation in healing horticulture.

What we are looking for

We welcome proposals from:

• Dutch individual garden or landscape designers
• Dutch landscape architecture firms
• Dutch design studios or collectives focused on ecological or sustainable design

Your proposal should:

• Reflect the Dutch identity and values in gardening and spatial design
• Align with the Expo’s themes of healing, sustainability, and well-being
• Highlight the importance of biodiversity and the role of nature in human health
• Consider the concept of urban greening as a foundation for healing environments
• Offer a compelling narrative and experience that resonates with Korean visitors
• Be suitable for implementation as an outdoor garden pavilion

Preferred qualifications

We will prioritize applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Have prior experience with exhibitions or projects in South Korea
• Are able to communicate effectively with Korean organizers or are willing to collaborate with local partners
• Demonstrate an understanding of cross-cultural collaboration in garden and design projects

Applicants who fulfill the above qualifications will be considered as priority candidates for initial discussions and shortlisting.

Timeline & next steps

• Expression of interest deadline: July 13, 2025
• We aim to begin initial discussions with selected candidates(based on the preferred qualifications) immediately after the deadline.
• Additional details—such as site specifications, budget framework, and technical requirements—will be provided during follow-up conversations.
• Full proposals will be invited and received according to an agreed timeline established with the selected candidates.

How to apply

To express your interest, please submit:

1. A short concept note (max. 1 page) outlining your initial vision for the Dutch Healing Garden
2. A profile or portfolio of relevant previous work (PDF or link)
3. Information on Korea-related experience or communication capacity (if applicable)
4. Your contact details (name, email, phone)

Send to: SEO-LVVN@minbuza.nl 
Email subject: “Dutch Healing Garden – 2026 Taean Expo”

This is a unique opportunity to represent the Netherlands on an international stage and demonstrate how Dutch landscape design can contribute to healing, biodiversity, and the well-being of future cities.

We warmly encourage the interest and participation of many talented designers and firms.