Designing the invisible at DesignTalks this year with the interdisciplinary designteam Terta and Elliðaárstöð
Magnea Guðmundsdóttir, architect and science communicator Margrét Hugadóttir talk about how Elliðaárstöð project has transformed invisible systems into meaningful experiences that connect people, places and communities - with play as a guiding light. The project received the Icelandic Design Award in 2025.
Elliðaárstöð, a former industrial site in Reykjavík’s largest green area has been transformed into a vibrant public destination that brings together energy, learning, culture, and play. Through the careful repurposing of existing structures, the historic Elliðaárstöð hydroelectric power station has been reimagined as an open and engaging environment where architecture, landscape, and storytelling converge.
Magnea is a practising architect, a member of the design team Terta and co-founder of the architectural firm Stika. She has worked on a variety of architectural projects that share a common focus on a community-based approach. Her work spans research, exhibition, urban and building design and she contributes to the built-environment discourse via articles, lectures and podcasts. Magnea is an important voice on the local urban scene and was Vice Chair of Reykjavík’s City Planning and Environment Council from 2014-2018.
Margrét is a Science Communicator and educational designer who strives to make the invisible visible through storytelling, design, and creative communication. She works at the intersection of science, design, and society and blends science, design thinking, and experience design to explore past functions, present operations, and possible futures. Since 2022, she has been developing science communication at Elliðaárstöð in Reykjavík, where thousands of visitors have learned about energy, water, and the invisible systems hidden within the city.
Now all speakers for DesignTalks have been introduced and they are:
Stefan Sagmeister
Dorte Mandrup
Hjalti Karlsson
Kristjana S Williams
Design team 1+1+1
RANRA
1 Granary
Elliðaárstöð
Everyone who has even a little interest in design and architecture should not miss this amazing event. See you at DesignTalks! Get you ticket here below.
