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
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2019
Podcast: Sterling Bay’s Andy Gloor discusses Chicago’s grandiose Lincoln Yards Plan
Lincoln Yards is Sterling Bay’s ambitious riverfront development of formerly industrial land between Bucktown and Lincoln Park.
Mixed-Use | Feb 21, 2019
An R&D-oriented innovation district is taking shape in the heart of Durham, N.C.
Its buildout has included converting old tobacco warehouses into offices and labs.
Mixed-Use | Feb 19, 2019
Sunset Library in Brooklyn will be capped with 50 affordable residences
Magnusson Architecture and Planning is designing the facility.
Mixed-Use | Feb 18, 2019
Seaport World Trade Center will offer Bostonians 737,000 sf of waterfront mixed-use space
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects is designing the project.
Mixed-Use | Jan 22, 2019
Mixed-use skyscraper rises in the heart of metropolitan Tokyo
Pickard Chilton designed the building.
Mixed-Use | Jan 4, 2019
Grenoble, France’s new mixed-use building has the skin of a python
A Prada bag inspired the design.
Mixed-Use | Jan 2, 2019
Goettsch Partners’ and Lead8’s mixed-use complex begins construction in Changchun, China
The complex includes a 980-foot tower.
Mixed-Use | Dec 14, 2018
Schmidt Hammer Lassen’s first U.S. project breaks ground in Detroit
The mixed-use development will connect some of Detroit’s key public spaces.
Mixed-Use | Dec 10, 2018
Luxury residential development completes in downtown Charleston
JE Dunn was the general contractor for the project and The Preston Partnership is the architect of record.
Mixed-Use | Nov 7, 2018
53-story L.A. tower has a series of 12 cantilevered pools
Arquitectonica is designing the building.
