On 1 May 2026, Danfoss Trata d.o.o. launched the research and development project Smart, Sustainable Modular Innovations of the Future for Quality Living (SMART-LIVING). The project will run until 30 April 2029 and is coordinated by the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty.
About the Project
The overall objective of the SMART-LIVING project is to bring together research organisations and industry partners in an interdisciplinary effort to develop technologies and products for zero-emission, sustainable, zero-energy, modular and adaptable buildings of the future.
Particular emphasis will be placed on solutions that contribute to the well-being, health, safety and protection of users. The developed prototypes will be integrated into a full-scale demonstration building module, enabling them to be tested and evaluated under real-world conditions.
Research, Prototype Development and Demonstration
The project is structured as an integrated programme comprising eight research and development projects.
The project is underpinned by research and technology development at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3–4:
R&D Project 1: Advanced Biomaterials for Construction
R&D Project 2: Building Envelope and Functionalities
R&D Project 3: Energy in Buildings
R&D Project 4: Research into New Artificial Intelligence Functionalities for Household Appliances
The results of these projects will provide the basis for the development of specific product and solution prototypes at TRL 5–6:
R&D Project 5: Prototypes of Building Envelope Products
R&D Project 6: Prototypes of Energy Solutions
The developed prototypes will subsequently be demonstrated and validated in a real-world environment:
R&D Project 7: Demonstrators of a Smart, Circular and Healthy Home
R&D Project 8: Demonstration and Evaluation of All Prototypes, Including a Transdisciplinary Approach and Life-Cycle Assessment
Expected Results
The main results of the project will be prototypes that will provide the basis for the development of final products and their subsequent mass production. During the development process, product properties will be assessed in advance, potential manufacturing challenges will be identified, and options for managing products at the end of their life cycle will be explored.
The demonstration facility will be set up at the testing site of the industrial partner REM d.o.o. in Trebnje. It will integrate and showcase the developed solutions for smart, sustainable, circular and healthy living in a single location.
Project Consortium
The project is coordinated by the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, with the following partners participating in the consortium:
University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering
University of Maribor, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute
GORENJE, gospodinjski aparati, d.o.o.
REM montaža in kleparstvo d.o.o.
DANFOSS TRATA regulacija ogrevanja, prezračevanja in klimatizacije, d.o.o.
M SORA, trgovina in proizvodnja, d.d.
SMARTIS, informacijski sistemi d.o.o.
JUB kemična industrija d.o.o.
PIKTRONIK, proizvodnja, storitve in najem d.o.o.
Project Value and Funding
The total value of the SMART-LIVING project is EUR 8,229,230.20, of which EUR 4,999,780.68 is co-financed by the European Union.
The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the European Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
More information about European cohesion policy is available at evropskasredstva.si.