Elliðaárstöð – Place of the Year and Architectural Nominee

In the heart of Reykjavík, where the Elliðaár River winds through its tranquil valley, a once-industrial site has been reborn as a vibrant celebration of creativity and connection. Elliðaárstöð, redesigned for Orkuveita Reykjavíkur by the multidisciplinary studio Terta in collaboration with Landslag, has quickly become one of Reykjavík’s most inspiring destinations, and in 2025, it was honoured as Place of the Year at the Icelandic Design Awards. 

Adding to its growing recognition, Elliðaárstöð has been nominated for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award in Architecture 2026, a remarkable acknowledgement of Reykjavík’s rising presence on the international design stage. 

Once closed to the public, Elliðaárstöð now invites everyone in. The site has been transformed into a vibrant community destination featuring a visitor centre, restaurant, and welcoming outdoor spaces. What was once a quiet industrial zone now thrives with energy throughout the year, alive with art, learning, play, and discovery. The redesign brings new purpose to existing buildings, blending old and new with remarkable care and creativity. Paths, playgrounds, installations, and event spaces flow effortlessly into the natural landscape, creating a space that feels both rooted and alive.

The design centres on learning, togetherness, outdoor activity, and play. Visitors are encouraged to explore the site’s layered story, from the early days of Reykjavík’s electricity supply to the power of nature itself. Inside and out, Elliðaárstöð invites people to linger, meet, play, and reflect. It’s a place for school visits, friendly gatherings, quiet walks, and community events, designed with both heart and precision.

Terta’s thoughtful approach shines through in every detail. The design does not attempt to conceal humanity’s use of natural resources but instead celebrates a balanced coexistence between people and the environment. Original materials and structures were carefully preserved and revealed: old walls stand proudly visible, reclaimed materials enrich new surfaces, and the story of the buildings remains tangible - visible even in the pipes running through the floors and walkways.

The roots of this place run deep. The Elliðaárdalur Power Station, commissioned in 1921, forever changed life in Reykjavík. Its elegant design, inspired by Nordic power plant architecture, was the work of engineers Jón Þorláksson, Guðmundur Hlíðdal, and Aage Broagers-Christensen, while the substation added in 1930 was designed by architect Sigurður Guðmundsson. These historic buildings now stand renewed, their legacy carried forward through contemporary design and vision.

The revitalisation of Elliðaárstöð has brought new life to the area, blending education, innovation, art, sport, and culture into a single, nourishing experience. It is a place that fills visitors with both joy and energy, a living example of how design can connect the past with the present, and people with place.