MOCU C in Prague

installation of a 12 m³ per day greywater-recycling-system (GWI 12.2-12.000)

The MOCU C project in Prague is one of the most ambitious ecological residential developments in Europe. Developed by Skanska Residential, it consistently implements the concept of “Blue-Green Infrastructure.” Following the success of the Botanica and Čertův vršek projects, the system in Modřany has been further expanded to create a nearly closed-loop water cycle for an entire neighborhood.

The project is particularly noteworthy for demonstrating how the utilization of greywater and rainwater reduces dependence on municipal infrastructure while simultaneously creating an attractive living space directly on the banks of the Vltava River.

Water Management at the Modřany Sugar Factory (MOCU), Prague

The project on the site of the former sugar factory in Modřany is a flagship for circular construction. It is the first project of this scale in the Czech Republic to standardize greywater recycling across an entire district (encompassing multiple building phases).

1. Greywater Recycling

In MOCU C, greywater is not merely collected; it is treated as a primary resource for building operations.

• Centralized Treatment: Water from showers and sinks is purified in a state-of-the-art facility. Skanska utilizes optimized Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) technology, which delivers water of near-potable quality (for technical purposes).
• Toilet Flushing: Every residential unit features a dual plumbing system. The recycled water supplies all toilets throughout the complex.
• Enormous Savings: Due to the sheer scale of the project (hundreds of apartments), millions of liters of drinking water are saved annually.

2. Heat Recovery

A distinctive feature of MOCU C is the consistent recovery of energy:

• Wastewater Heat Exchangers: The warm greywater from bathrooms transfers its thermal energy to heat exchangers before being purified.
• Heat Pump Integration: This recovered energy is used to support the building’s heat pumps, drastically reducing heating costs for residents (both for hot water and space heating).

3. Rainwater and the “Sponge City” Concept

MOCU goes beyond internal recycling, utilizing the entire site as a water reservoir:

• Blue Roofs: The roofs are designed to retain rainwater, allowing for delayed release or storage for irrigation.
• Visible Water Features: A portion of the treated water and rainwater is directed into aesthetic watercourses and ponds within the district’s public spaces to cool the local microclimate.
• Recycled Materials: Even the outdoor pathways were designed using permeable materials recycled from the construction debris of the old sugar factory (“Rebetong”).

4. Ecological Milestones

• BREEAM “Outstanding”: The project aims for the highest level of certification.
• Carbon Footprint: Through the combination of water recycling, photovoltaics, and recycled concrete, MOCU massively reduces CO2 emissions throughout the building’s entire lifecycle.

Realisation: 06/2025

Partner: Koncept Ekotech

Investor: Skanska

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