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The D.O.K. residential complex is being developed as a set of three apartment buildings constructed in parallel: the wooden Dřevák and two conventionally built structures – Krystal and Onyx. The fact that all three buildings are rising side by side at the same time offers a unique opportunity to compare wooden and traditional construction methods directly in practice.
The entire project will deliver 177 residential units, of which more than 80 % already have their future owners. Notably, the greatest buyer interest has been sparked by Dřevák itself – demonstrating that the wooden building has proven to be a strong sales argument rather than an obstacle.
The above-ground floors of Dřevák are formed by a load-bearing system of CLT panels manufactured from Czech wood. The basement and the building core, by contrast, are executed in monolithic concrete, which provides the necessary rigidity and durability for the lower part of the structure. The façade consists of prefabricated panels with a timber frame construction, with windows already installed directly during production – shortening on-site assembly time and increasing the precision of the entire envelope.
Approximately two-thirds of the timber will remain visibly exposed in the interiors, placing high demands on material protection throughout the entire construction process. Visible wooden elements are therefore protected with special foil and temporary wall formwork to prevent damage before handover of the apartments.
The choice of wood as the primary structural material brings measurable environmental benefits. Compared with conventional construction of similar scale, the use of a timber structure is expected to save approximately 550 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent and reduce global warming potential by 48 %.
The project’s sustainability, however, is not limited to material selection. All three buildings are designed to be highly energy-efficient and, according to their energy performance certificates, fall into class A. The complex also manages rainwater and reuses greywater from showers and washbasins for toilet flushing. Heat from the waste greywater will additionally be recovered for preheating domestic hot water – a system that is still not standard in residential developments.
The emphasis on healthy living is further confirmed by the prestigious WELL Residence certification, which Dřevák received as the first residential building in Central and Eastern Europe. The entire D.O.K. complex has also been awarded BREEAM certification at the Excellent level.
The project developer is Skanska Residential, with Skanska a.s. acting as the main contractor. The architectural design was prepared by the studio Jakub Cigler Architekti.
