[IFA 2023] "Done in 3 Months"... A Look at LG Electronics' 'Small House in the Forest'

LG Electronics Unveils Small-Scale Modular Home 'Smart Cottage'
Targeting Energy Efficiency in Europe
Sales Goal for Next Year
Samsung Electronics Also Introduces 'Tiny House'

"A house that can be used even when placed in the forest."

Lee Hyang-eun, Executive Vice President of LG Electronics Customer Experience (CX) Division, described LG Electronics' small modular housing 'Smart Cottage' this way.

From the 1st to the 5th, LG Electronics showcased residential solutions integrating high-efficiency energy technologies at 'IFA 2023,' Europe's largest electronics fair held in Berlin, Germany. It is a so-called 'off-grid house' that consumes energy produced independently.

LG Electronics first unveiled the Smart Cottage in Jincheon, Chungbuk, last March, and the Smart Cottage presented at IFA was modified internally to suit European sensibilities. The European design was completed in collaboration with Danwood, a Polish modular housing specialist acquired by GS Construction.

The Smart Cottage produces energy independently with a 4-kilowatt (kW) solar panel roof. It also installed the 'Therma V Monobloc,' a heat pump heating and cooling system popular in Europe, to reduce energy consumption. An energy storage system (ESS) located on one side of the house stores leftover power. The energy is sufficient for two adults to use throughout the day. The exhibited Smart Cottage is about 40 square meters (approximately 12 pyeong), designed for two adults and two children.

Smart Cottage reduced energy consumption by installing the heat pump heating and cooling system "ThermaV Monobloc," which is gaining popularity in Europe.
[Photo by Han Yeju]

Inside, LG Electronics' premium built-in appliances are installed. These include a washing machine, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven, induction cooktop, and robot vacuum cleaner. Outside, an electric vehicle charger is also provided. All processes can be controlled and monitored through the smart platform 'LG ThinQ.'

Executive Vice President Lee said, "This house is not a prototype," adding, "It is fully functional." He explained that production takes two months, and after ordering, construction and appliance installation take an average of two to three weeks. Of course, it is not yet a fully off-grid state due to issues with the water tank for potable water. However, they are considering ways to commercialize it through several stages. He emphasized, "We plan to start selling the Smart Cottage from next year."

LG Electronics is planning to sell Smart Cottages starting next year. The photo shows the interior of a Smart Cottage.
Photo by Han Yeju

Next to the Smart Cottage, the 'Net Zero Vision House' allowed visitors to experience various new home appliances and home energy solutions LG Electronics is targeting for the European market. The process of energy produced by solar panels or leftover energy used in the house being stored in the ESS and consumed, as well as controlling appliances and monitoring energy consumption through the smart home platform 'ThinQ,' was visible at a glance.

Samsung Electronics also installed a 'Tiny House' outdoors near the exhibition hall to realize the eco-friendly residential model called 'Net Zero Home.'
[Photo by Han Yeju]

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics also installed a 'Tiny House' outdoors near the exhibition hall to realize the eco-friendly residential form called 'Net Zero Home.' The interior was equipped with 'Home Control' using the 'SmartThings' platform to control appliances and lighting, 'Security Features' using Google Nest doorbells, and 'Energy Saving' functions that monitor energy usage. In front of the house model, the electric vehicle 'Genesis GV60' was placed, allowing visitors to see how the electric vehicle charger is managed through SmartThings.