Dunamu and KoAGM Announce the 2025 Digital Healing Garden Competition: Revolutionizing Wellness through Nature and Technology

Merging Innovation, Nature, and Wellness

Dunamu, in partnership with the Korea Arboretum and Gardens Management Agency (KoAGM), has unveiled the launch of the "2025 Digital Healing Garden Space Model Proposal and Content Development Competition." This groundbreaking initiative aims to explore and develop cutting-edge concepts for virtual forests and garden spaces that combine the therapeutic essence of nature with advanced digital technology.

The Digital Healing Garden is a visionary project led by Dunamu that reimagines forests as accessible, immersive virtual environments. Leveraging state-of-the-art LED-powered media facades to simulate stunning natural landscapes, along with sensory technologies that recreate the soundscapes, scents, and ambient qualities of real-world forests, the Digital Healing Garden delivers a restorative experience that promotes emotional and psychological well-being.

Purpose-Driven Collaboration: An Open Call for Visionary Proposals

This competition serves as a platform for innovators from diverse disciplines—including information technology, landscape architecture, healthcare, startups, and other related fields—to contribute ideas that integrate technology and natural healing. Open to professionals and students alike, participants can showcase their creative flair and passion for bridging the gap between modern living and nature.

Interested applicants can download the application form directly from the KoAGM website. Submissions, which are accepted via email, must be completed by November 19.

Competition Themes

The 2025 Digital Healing Garden Competition is structured around two central themes:

1. Space Model Proposal
   Participants are tasked with conceptualizing innovative digital healing garden infrastructures. Designs may integrate immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), or Internet of Things (IoT) devices to transform garden spaces. The challenge encourages combining advanced digital equipment with artistic landscapes to create new standards in virtual wellness environments.

2. Content and Program Development
   This theme calls for ideas that fuse Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with the principles of natural therapy. Suggested content may include interactive digital and sensory experiences, therapeutic programs for public participation, or operational programs designed specifically for on-site digital healing gardens.

Mentorship, Evaluation, and Awards

A robust evaluation framework ensures fairness and depth in assessing submissions. The process includes an initial review of documents, followed by one-on-one mentorship opportunities for shortlisted candidates. These tailored mentorship sessions, provided by industry experts, aim to refine participants' proposals before the final presentation stage. Finalists will showcase their ideas, and a panel will determine the winners based on the quality, innovation, and practicality of their concepts.

Prestigious Awards and Real-World Implementation

Participants in the competition stand to win a share of the total prize pool of 20 million Korean won (approximately $15,000). Top proposals will be recognized through high-profile accolades, including the Forest Service Commissioner’s Award, the Mayor of Seoul’s Award, the CEO of Dunamu’s Award, and the Director of KoAGM’s Award.

The benefits extend beyond monetary prizes. Winning proposals will be incorporated into real-world operational plans for the Digital Healing Garden, providing an unparalleled opportunity for their creators to contribute to programs that enhance therapeutic gardens for broader use among the public and within institutions.

Building the Future of Wellness

“Digital Healing Gardens are poised to redefine next-generation wellness spaces by harmonizing the dynamic pace of modern life with the restorative essence of nature,” stated Oh Kyung-seok, CEO of Dunamu. “This competition is not just about innovation but about discovering diverse ideas that can spread the rejuvenating energy of nature to communities around the globe.”

Through this initiative, Dunamu and KoAGM aim to lead the charge in creating sustainable, wellness-focused ecosystems that merge tradition with innovation. By tapping into the healing powers of digital design and natural therapy, they aspire to cultivate a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for individuals in the digital age.