Tengja — sculpture and heated seating
The Standby Squares project activates squares and public spaces across the city to create more engaging areas, embrace the unexpected, and serve as a platform for bold urban experiments. One of this year's selected works is Tengja.
Tengja is a pipe-based sculpture that doubles as seating, giving geothermal wastewater a new purpose by transforming it into a warm, inviting public space. Located at Fornhagi, Tengja applies circular design principles to utilize a resource that would otherwise go to waste.
Through this playful yet practical sculpture, the public gains a tangible connection to the geothermal heating system — a reminder of this remarkable resource's value and the quality of life it offers. Tengja invites anyone passing through Fornhagi to sit down, warm up, and enjoy the outdoors year-round, even during the coldest months.
Tumi Valdimarsson designed the work in collaboration with Reykjavík City, Veitur Utilities, and Standby Squares.
Tengja will be formally unveiled tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 3, at 5:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome.