A giant, glowing, red heart — with room inside for curious visitors and romantic couples — will be installed in Times Square for Valentine’s Day. The “Heartwalk,” designed by Brooklyn-based Situ Studio, is made of materials salvaged from Hurricane Sandy, including wood from the destroyed boardwalks of Long Beach, NY, and Sea Girt and Atlantic City, NJ.

In addition to a lighting consultant, Situ is working with LED lights, stainless steel, and a process of removing a thin layer of the wood to reveal interior texture and hues of red, orange and brown.

The annual Times Square Alliance’s Time Square Arts competition worked with Design Trust for Public Space this year to enlist emerging architecture and design firms. Eight firms submitted ideas for the Valentine’s project.

The Heartwalk will be a reflection of the things that bind the city together, Bradley Samuel, Situ Studio partner said.

“This heart is a frame for lovers and a great civic gesture commemorating the outpouring of support and help in the wake of Sandy,” said Barry Bergdoll, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, The Museum of Modern Art, and jury member.

“Heartwalk is a heartwarming stage on which to pause for a moment in the heart of the world’s busiest intersection—a swell of emotions,” Bergdoll added, “that can dialogue with the TKTS pavilion and the great cacophony of Times Square.”

 Images: Situ Studio