From trust to timber: Building Multi-Residential housing with Marles
In a time when Europe urgently needs faster, greener and more adaptable housing, timber modular construction has stepped into the spotlight. But even the best technology is only as strong as the people and partnerships behind it.
At Marles, Slovenia’s leading timber construction company with over 125 years of heritage, we believe that success in complex projects starts with clarity, collaboration and proven capability.
One of the most compelling examples? Our ongoing partnership with Gradnje Lenart in the town of Šentilj, Slovenia.
A partnership that is built on results
Following the completion of the first multi-storey residential timber building in Šentilj – comprising 27 apartments across 2,100 m² – the project was met with strong demand. All units were sold before completion, and feedback from residents and investors was overwhelmingly positive.
Encouraged by this success, Gradnje Lenart entrusted Marles with the second building, now underway. The two buildings together will provide more than 4,000 m² of residential space and over 50 housing units, designed for comfort, flexibility, and long-term energy performance.
Why timber? Why now?
Modular timber construction offers unique advantages for real estate developers and investors:
- Faster timelines: Controlled factory production reduces on-site disruptions and shortens construction schedules – allowing earlier sales, handovers, and returns.
- Reliable execution: High-precision components reduce the risk of on-site delays and budget overruns.
- Sustainable appeal: Timber is the only truly renewable building material, enabling projects to meet the growing demand for sustainable living.
- Scalability: With the right partner, these solutions can be replicated, expanded and tailored across markets.
- Lightweight system: Compared to concrete, timber elements are significantly lighter – making them ideal for building extensions, adding extra floors to existing structures, or hybrid systems that combine timber with other materials. This opens new potential in urban densification, heritage-sensitive upgrades and vertical expansions.
Marles - European player
While Šentilj is a local example, Marles has always been a European player.
We are proud to have delivered numerous large-scale timber buildings across Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Italy, where strict building standards, environmental regulations and design requirements demand excellence. In Switzerland alone, we’ve completed dozens of multi-unit modular buildings – with repeat clients who value our engineering precision and consistency.
Whether it's student housing, hotels, schools, sports alls, glampings, rentals, or mixed-use buildings, our team knows how to adapt to regional needs – from seismic standards in Italy to passive house certifications in Austria.
Looking ahead: Inviting new partnerships
The success in Šentilj is not just a case study. It’s a signal to investors, developers, and architects across Europe: if you're looking for a trusted partner in modular timber construction, Marles is ready.
From initial design consultations to final assembly, we offer:
- A high-performance production facility
- In-house engineering and architectural support
- Flexible design adaptation to your local market and regulations
- Decades of hands-on experience, across typologies and geographies
📩 If you’re working on a multi-residential or urban infill project and seeking sustainable, high-quality construction with reliable delivery – we invite you to connect with us (info@marles.com).
Let’s build something that lasts, together.
