Outside Prague, the Sugar Factory, a mixed-used residential development with public space, marks the largest project to use the sustainable material Rebetong. Invented by Skanska, Rebetong comprises completely recycled concrete and/or masonry, instead of natural aggregates. With Rebetong, buildings can be constructed from other buildings at the end of their lives, forming a circular economy. The Sugar Factory is also the first project to use Rebetong for its façade.
The architecture and urban design practice CHYBIK + KRISTOF, in collaboration with Skanska, recently unveiled the Sugar Factory, located on a former sugar factory site. At 58,000 square meters (about 625,000 square feet), the project includes seven blocks with 790 apartments. It also features over 6,600 square meters (71,000 square feet) of public space, including a multifunctional hall, brewery, coffee house, kindergarten, and boat club. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030.
Following intensive research and experimentation with different sizes, shapes, and densities, the Rebetong material used for this project has been made from leftover bricks, reflecting the site’s industrial character. So that Rebetong can serve as a fully visual reminder of the area’s history, CHK proposed using the material not only for structural purposes, but also as an exposed façade. The project also preserves the sugar factory chimney, built in 1927, so it can serve as a historic landmark and symbol.
“Appreciated for its historic significance and ability to fit into the existing landscape, Rebetong acts as a functional and emotional connection to the collective memory of the area, adding value to the local culture and community, while being a sustainably elegant solution,” a press statement said.
On the Building Team:
Owner and/or developer: SKANSKA Reality
Design architect: CHYBIK + KRISTOF
Engineer of record: Tomáš Chren, AED
MEP engineer: ExPlan
Structural engineer: Recoc
General contractor/construction manager: Skanska
![Sugar Factory exterrior](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sugar%20Factory%20exterior.jpg)
![Sugar Factory ext 2](/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sugar%20Factory%20ext%202.jpeg)
Related Stories
Building Team | Jun 13, 2018
How your AEC firm's brand affects recruiting top talent
There is a major shift in workforce demographics as upwards of 80 million baby boomers retire over the next fifteen years.
Sponsored | | May 24, 2018
Water treatment facility renovation benefits from laser scanning technology
Sponsored | Building Team | May 8, 2018
5 tips to improve employee utilization (and morale)
Ways to increase productivity and revenue, while providing a supportive workplace environment
Architects | Apr 5, 2018
Tech Report 5.0: The Human Touch
Can studying humans at a behavioral level produce better buildings? Cognitive architecture experts are working to find out.
Sponsored | Building Team | Mar 28, 2018
6 strategies to keep your project on budget
Here are six strategies to keep your projects on or even under budget.
Sponsored | | Mar 14, 2018
Getting there may be costing you more
Commercial transportation is getting more expensive, and it’s driving up the price of steel.
Sponsored | Building Team | Dec 12, 2017
3 tips to address the top causes of budget overruns
The most cited issues are communication breakdowns, inadequate fees for the work provided, and unrealistic deadlines or schedules.
Building Team | Nov 14, 2017
12 differences between average and high-growth firms
We’ve developed a pretty good understanding of what high-growth firms do differently from their average-growth peers.
Sponsored | Building Team | Nov 3, 2017
4 strategies for marketing your AEC firm
Having a clearly defined competitive brand and a fine-tuned marketing approach can give your firm a significant competitive advantage.