Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design

Repooposing jail’s fertiliser​ systems

Project overview
Student name
Borbála Hegyi
Máté Barkóczi
Degree level
Year of project
2023 - ongoing

As a speculative project, each prison in Hungary operates within its own self-sustaining ecosystem. One such example is Márianosztra Prison, located amidst the stunning natural surroundings of the Börzsöny mountain range. 

These prisons are designed to produce no waste, functioning entirely within a closed-loop system. The concept relies on prisoners using their own waste to fertilize the plants they cultivate. 

To safely use human waste as fertilizer, a specific diet is required, which improves the quality of the compost. Additionally, for human waste to serve as an effective fertilizer, it must not come into contact with water.

As a result, these prisons generate no wastewater, contributing to the preservation of the surrounding environment and ecosystem. This innovative approach highlights the potential for sustainable living practices even in institutional settings. 

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Budapest, 1121