Most people dream of escaping the grid. But when someone actually does it? That’s a story. Take this tech executive who ditched their downtown condo for LG’s Smart Cottage in the mountains. No more traffic. No more neighbors. Just 26.6 square meters of prefabricated freedom.
The Mono model isn’t much bigger than a studio apartment. Everything’s crammed into one open space – kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, the works. But here’s the thing: it actually works. The low-carbon steel frame from POSCO means it won’t fall apart in a storm. Dan-Wood’s timber expertise keeps it from looking like a shipping container. And those solar panels on the roof? They generate enough juice to keep the lights on without touching the grid.
Everything’s crammed into 26.6 square meters but the low-carbon steel frame and solar panels make it actually work.
The executive chose the upgraded Mono+ for 290 million won. Yeah, that’s real money. But compared to city rent and utilities, the math started making sense after year three. The LG Therma V heat pump handles the climate control. The ThinQ app runs everything from the WashTower Compact to the smart doorbell. It’s like living in a smartphone that happens to have a bed.
Remote work made the whole thing possible. Video calls from the covered porch swing beat fluorescent office lights any day. The QuadWash dishwasher and water purifier handle the basics. Multi-functional furniture squeezes storage out of every corner. Light wood finishes make the space feel bigger than it is.
The security setup would make a paranoid person happy. Keyless entry, surveillance cameras, smart smoke alarms – all controlled through one app. The executive jokes about forgetting what keys even look like. The upcoming ThinQ On hub will add AI-powered voice control to make hands-free living even easier. Smart security systems also provided an unexpected bonus in the form of insurance discounts, making the remote living even more economically viable.
Is it perfect? Nope. Guests need to crash on the couch. Hosting dinner parties requires creativity. But waking up to actual birds instead of car alarms? Walking outside without an elevator ride? Having zero electric bills thanks to those solar panels? The executive claims it’s worth every compromise.
The cottage sits on a piece of land overlooking a valley, completely disconnected from municipal services. Just them, their smart appliances, and whatever nature throws their way. The design aesthetic draws inspiration from Sea Ranch architecture, blending seamlessly with the natural landscape rather than fighting against it.
