First step toward sustainable residential construction
In Sežana, Jelovica is successfully completing one of the most innovative construction projects in Slovenia. We are talking about the upgrade of an existing massive building with a frame-panel wooden structure, which enabled the construction of three additional floors with minimal intervention in the existing foundation structure. This is the first such example of multi-family residential construction in Slovenia, sending a clear signal to the market – wooden construction is the future of urban development.
The project implemented in Sežana involved the upgrade of an existing multi-family residential building, where with the help of a frame-panel wooden structure and a thin-layer wall assembly made of stone wool, three new floors with 16 modern apartments were added. The entire project took just five months to design and execute – this includes everything from the initial plans to final assembly. Jelovica took over the entire construction process, including planning, production, transport, assembly, and finishing works. The building meets the highest standards of sustainable construction and contributes to a 60% lower carbon footprint compared to concrete construction. The fact that all apartments were sold out before the end of construction confirms that this is also a successful case from an investment perspective.
Why is the project relevant for Slovenia?
In April 2024, Jelovica signed a contract with the investor. Production started in August and construction already in September. Due to the high degree of prefabrication, the upgrade was completed in less than 30 days – with minimal impact on the surroundings.
In Slovenia, this is a pioneering example of upgrading an existing commercial building into a multi-family commercial and residential building with an additional 3 floors. Moreover, the project was executed exclusively with a wooden structure – with steel reinforcements implemented at the ground floor. At a time when spatial and structural constraints in urban environments are increasingly common, Jelovica is thus opening the door to solutions that are architecturally thoughtful, energy-efficient and commercially successful.
“In Slovenia, we have long faced a lack of affordable, quality housing. Such projects prove that wooden modular construction is one of the fastest and least invasive ways to new living units – even where traditional construction is not possible. What we have learned in Switzerland and Germany, we are now successfully transferring to Slovenia,” says Matjaž Grm, CEO of Jelovica.
Energy efficiency and supreme living comfort
In the Sežana-based building, advanced sustainable solutions and modern living standards intertwine, with wood playing a central role. As the main building material, wood creates a natural, pleasant microclimate, regulates indoor humidity, improves air quality and provides high thermal insulation. Its warmth is not just physical – it also affects the well-being and health of residents, creating a sense of homeliness that is difficult to emulate with other materials.
The apartments are designed with long-term comfort in mind. The building meets the requirements of a nearly zero-energy building (nZEB), and special attention was also paid to sound insulation. Thoughtfully planned floor slabs as well as external and internal walls ensure a high level of acoustic comfort and privacy, which is especially important in multi-family residential buildings.
Download the press release: https://jelovica-hise.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Sporocilo-za-javnost-Sezana-in-3-nove-etaze-Jelovica.pdf (pdf, 112 KB)