LG Electronics Donates Modular Home to Gounsa Temple Affected by Wildfire

High-Efficiency Appliances and Solar Panels Optimize Energy Use

LG Electronics has donated a modular home to Gounsa Temple, which was affected by a wildfire, to be used as a residential space.

On December 29, LG Electronics announced that it had donated the modular housing "LG Smart Cottage" to the monks of Gounsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk. The company installed a two-story model on December 22, which will be used as a monks' residence and a space for spiritual practice. LG Electronics explained that it decided to make the donation after learning that living conditions had become difficult at Gounsa Temple following the large-scale wildfire that swept through the Yeongnam region in March this year, completely destroying the temple's main hall. Gounsa Temple, built in 681 by the Buddhist monk Uisang during the first year of King Sinmun's reign in the Silla Dynasty, holds significant historical value and is home to treasures such as the Seated Stone Buddha.

LG Electronics announced on the 29th that it donated the modular housing "LG Smart Cottage" to the monks of Gounsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk, who were affected by the wildfire. The photo shows the LG Smart Cottage installed at Gounsa Temple. Photo by LG Electronics

LG Electronics provided a two-story model (Duo Max 45) with a size of 45 square meters (14 pyeong). The first floor is equipped with essential home appliances such as a refrigerator, washing machine, and induction stove to enhance practicality. Beyond simply providing living space, LG Electronics minimized energy consumption by installing high-efficiency appliances and solar panels. This approach also aligns with the nature-friendly culture of the temple.

Cho Yeonwoo, head of LG Electronics' Smart Cottage division, stated, "We hope this contribution will support Gounsa Temple as it works to recover from wildfire damage," adding, "LG Electronics will continue to fulfill its social responsibility to the local community through our technology and capabilities."

According to LG Electronics, the appliances, HVAC systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices installed in the LG Smart Cottage can be conveniently controlled using the LG ThinQ app. In particular, the cottage is manufactured using a pre-fabrication (pre-fab) method, in which more than 70% of the modular structure, windows, wiring, bathroom, and kitchen fixtures are produced in advance and then delivered to the site. This process can reduce construction time by more than 50% compared to traditional reinforced concrete construction methods.

Recently, the LG Smart Cottage (Mono Plus 26) located in Gimje, Jeonbuk, achieved an energy self-sufficiency rate of over 120%. As a result, it became the first modular home and pre-fabricated building in Korea to receive the highest grade of Zero Energy Building, known as "ZEB Plus." The Zero Energy Building certification is a system administered by the Korea Energy Agency, which grants grades to green buildings that minimize energy consumption by utilizing renewable energy sources.