Redefining Retail

Touted as one of the biggest malls in the country, the DLF Mall of India is set to create a benchmark in the retail business. With mall culture transforming shopping from a need-driven activity to leisure time entertainment, the country welcomes the DLF Mall of India, a Rs 1,800-crore marquee project in Noida. A closer look The mall boasts of being the only retail establishment with six customised levels of retail experience and brings the unique concept of ´zoning´ for the first time in India. Spanning a retail space of 1.96 million sq ft, its unique design element is the racetrack atrium that offers excellent visibility to all storefronts. Another innovation is the integration of a steel frame structure to increase built-up area and overall lease area. The construction is a conventional RC frame, with a diaphragm wall built on account of the high water table. With three levels of basement for parking, it is designed to accommodate 1,700 four-wheelers and 600 two-wheelers. Well-connected with escalators and modern high-speed passenger elevators, the mall has 74 escalators, 22 elevators and six travellators including a 9-m-long express escalator in the main atrium. Going green The DLF Mall of India has been Gold-certified by IGBC for LEED, also complying with Ashrae 90.1, making it one of the highly efficient green developments today. Features include rooftop insulation, exterior wall insulation, rainwater harvesting, skylights for maximum daylight use, energy-efficient glass, efficient water fixtures, water treatment plant, reduced window to wall ratio, native vegetation in landscape and solar panels for electricity generation. ´The materials selected for the project were influenced by achieving the highest environmental and fire safety ratings,´ shares Jairam Panch, Managing Director, Turner Project Management India, who was appointed project management consultant for the mall. He further adds that the main structure shell and core of the building is reinforced cement concrete, selected for its robustness and durability, along with a high performing fire rating. Sustainable initiatives Energy-efficient air-conditioning system with 20 per cent less energy consumption. Solar power plant of 40 kw for using solar energy. Solar water heater of 4,000 litre, which helps save electrical energy. Ventilation fans coupled with CO sensor in car parking. Overdeck insulation with solar reflective index (SRI) finish. Pumps and fans coupled with variable speed drives to save energy. Sequencing batch reactor for wastewater treatment with the latest technology. Organic waste converter for wet garbage. Overcoming challenges One of the biggest challenge was to overcome the size of the project - three levels of basement with six retail floors and the structure itself rises to eight levels. Panch shares, ´There is little space for construction logistics, and with retail space at a premium, dealing with the building services and coordination and management while maintaining LEED and fire safety standards was a major task.´ Besides, in a retail-led project, each tenant has the ability to tweak their space to their own specifications; hence, following the process and protocols for change and approvals becomes a primary function to maintain building integrity and compliance within the budget. Overcoming these challenges, and with its many advanced and smart features, the DLF Mall of India is set to write the next chapter in the great Indian mall story. Project details ......................................................... Built-up area: 2.63 million sq ft Gross leasable area: 2 million sq ft Landscaping: Grotech Landscapes Developers. Website: www.grotech.in Architect: Benoy. Website: www.benoy.com Construction Co/Builder: L&T. Website: www.larsentoubro.com Lighting: Litchvision. Mall marketing and management services: In-house by DLF Mall of India. Website: www.dlfmallofindia.in Consultant/Advisory services: Turner as Project Management Consultant. Website: www.turnerconstruction.com Security Services: ProAlign Security Services. To share the construction details of a recently completed project, write in at feedback@ConstructionWorld.in