Since 2016, the ESA BIC Czech Republic has been supporting the most innovative technology startups that leverage space expertise to drive the Czech innovation ecosystem forward. These companies show that space technologies have huge potential beyond orbit, offering groundbreaking applications in industries such as manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and environmental protection.
We are pleased to introduce a unique addition to our incubator. Meet Kacadu Corp, a creative studio of designers, researchers and makers exploring the boundaries of material innovation, modular architecture and ecological design.
At the core of Kacadu Corp’s philosophy lies a commitment to creating systems that are not only functional but also adaptable to changing conditions, whether environmental or social. Their work revolves around collaborative expertise, combining scientific research with architectural and design knowledge. This approach has led to the development of two visionary projects, VIDA and SARA. Though designed for different environments, both projects are rooted in the same principles of modular construction and geometry-based engineering inspired by natural patterns.
The focus of their incubation at ESA BIC Czech Republic is SARA, also known as Self-Actuating Robotic Architecture. This innovative project explores how structures can dynamically adjust to extreme conditions through advanced mechanical design. Using auxetic geometries and interlocking modules, SARA creates lightweight surfaces that fold, expand and respond to external forces with remarkable flexibility. Supported by ESA BIC Czech Republic, the project is progressing through prototyping and testing toward the launch of two product lines, the SARA Kinetic Muscle Surface and the SARA Construction Kit, both designed for scalable applications. Their solutions are aimed at space industry partners, research centers and urban developers seeking deployable infrastructure, satellite components or flexible construction materials.
“SARA is more than just a structural system. It represents an entire design philosophy that values transformation, adaptability and the intelligence of geometry to rethink how we build and inhabit space, whether on Earth or elsewhere,” says Adam Urban, the CEO of Kacadu Corp.
Their second major project, VIDA, short for Variable Instantly Deployable Architecture, transforms urban plastic waste into foldable modular bricks designed to solve a wide range of challenges tackling diverse industries, civic spaces, and humanitarian needs. With its accessible and hands-on approach, VIDA allows people to take part in shaping their surroundings through simple, tool-free construction. The system includes a digital configurator that lets users customize shapes, experiment with layouts and generate ready-to-build designs. Piloted in Berlin, VIDA has already led to community-built pavilions that promote local creativity and environmental consciousness. By turning discarded plastic into a valuable resource, VIDA shows a new way forward for democratic architecture that is both sustainable and inclusive.
Kacadu Corp brings a fresh and creative vision to the intersection of design, technology and sustainability. Their bold work with modular systems, recycled materials and participatory architecture is a strong example of the inventive spirit that ESA BIC Czech Republic is proud to encourage and support.
