ReKáva: A Living Circular Lab Turning Waste into Value
May 25, 2026 / 11:29 AM
ReKáva, a Czech startup combining design, education and the circular economy, will present its unique concept of living mushroom walls and mushroom-growing systems made from spent coffee grounds at URBIS 2026. The project demonstrates how common bio waste can gain new meaning and become part of modern schools, companies and public spaces in cities and municipalities.
At the heart of the solution are designer mushroom-growing units (Houbária) developed by ReKáva in cooperation with Plastia. These installations bring a living element into interior spaces, connecting nature, sustainability and education. Individual units can be combined into mushroom walls, which function not only as an aesthetic and community building feature, but also as a practical demonstration of the circular economy in action – from the reuse of coffee grounds to the cultivation of oyster mushrooms.
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Award Winning Design with International Recognition
ReKáva’s mushroom-growing system received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2025, presented at a ceremonial event in Essen, Germany. The award confirms that the combination of sustainability, functionality and high quality design can succeed on an international level.
Circular Education in Schools
Education is a key pillar of the ReKáva project. As a partner of the Prague Innovation Institute, ReKáva is involved in the IDZ project “School as a Circular Hub”, which brings mushroom walls directly into schools. Students can observe the entire circular process in real time – from waste to cultivation and use – while connecting environmental education with practical experience, data and community collaboration.
A Question for Cities, Schools and Companies
At URBIS 2026, ReKáva raises an important question:
How can schools, companies and public institutions transform waste into a new resource and a living public space?
ReKáva presents a concrete and accessible solution for cities of the future – living installations that connect ecology, design, education and community life. The project shows that the circular economy does not have to be complex or distant, but can become a natural part of everyday life in cities, schools and companies.
