+
 Sustainable design for retail spaces
Company News

Sustainable design for retail spaces

The unprecedented impact of the pandemic on all industries has shifted the company’s approach towards creating designs that are resilient and meaningful for the future. Particularly in the retail sector, sustainability concerns are taking predominance, and the need for safer public spaces is changing its face towards an ingenious blend of traditional design principles with modern technology. As the company has become more aware of its surroundings, physical commercial spaces need to step up and offer an optimised shopping experience to engage with the users.

The company’s approach towards the design of commercial spaces needs to go beyond the box type monotony of modern buildings and provide a solution that is sustainable and connected to nature while offering ample opportunities for engagement. One of the models to explore is the open to sky high street 'haat' experience, as it offers the best of both worlds, access to multiple retail stores and safe open spaces for customers to engage with. This model has all the facilities under one roof, along with multiple galleries, piazzas and landscaped courtyards that reinforce the users' connection with nature. Secondly, the space serves as a whole community in itself because it facilitates people to shop and relax within the complex, hence providing them with a social space to interact and helping in raising their standard of living.

This approach has been successfully implemented in one of the projects, the 'Sapphire' at Gurugram. Re-defining the open market typology in a neighbourhood format, the Sapphire is a shopping complex with multiple retail, daily shopping and food options spread over three floors. Moving away from the traditional mall morphology, it is conceptualised with connected shopping streets and open courtyards to promote maximum engagement and enhance the user experience while also making it a safer option for shoppers. As 'the model' neighbourhood shopping complex, the Sapphire is conceptualised as a commercial facility in suburban Gurugram that engages people in a friendly and inspiring manner.

While the consumer experience plays a major role in commercial spaces, an integrated design approach that considers the rules of environmental sustainability is equally necessary. The move towards sustainable architecture starts from protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations. Thus, the blueprint of future retail spaces needs to incorporate climate responsive strategies that improve the indoor air quality and microclimate by introducing greens inside the building, using renewable energy resources and local materials for construction. Incorporation of energy efficient design strategies into buildings needs to be promoted to create a healthy and comfortable environment, while the use of natural elements and technologies needs to be highlighted to conserve the natural resources and increase occupant comfort. These strategies drive the rules of enviro-sustainability by catering to operational costs of the building and reducing waste and pollutants inside the space. Numerous passive technologies can also be adopted to ensure that buildings are environmentally friendly and sustainable to the core. Some of them are -

· Effective ventilation systems for efficient heating and cooling
· Passive solar design features that utilise the sun's energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces. Responsible factors include shape and form of buildings, the orientation of facades, and building design that helps in reducing the heat gain by thermal insulation of roofs and walls
· Energy efficient lighting and smart appliances
· Water saving plumbing fixtures
· Alternate sources of power such as solar and wind power
· Usage of non-synthetic, non-toxic, locally available materials which are generally composed of renewable resources and are environmentally responsible
· Efficient use of space
· Use of mist or water bodies to control the indoor microclimate and,
·Use of shading devices to reduce the temperature.

Keeping these strategies in mind, the upcoming Mahagun Marina Walk in Greater Noida incorporates rich vegetation and water bodies into the building, enhancing the microclimate with passive cooling, improved air quality, building energy efficiency, and the psychological benefits for its users. The design intent is to build a complex that blurs the line between interiors and exteriors and facilitates a relaxing and engaging environment by proposing a smooth interaction with nature. The materials for the building were also carefully selected, ones that are durable, contain recycled content, easily reused and are locally manufactured to reduce ramifications and negative environmental impacts. Internal finishes have been proposed to use low volatile materials, and AAC block walls are used for space segregation. Solar panels are installed on the rooftop to suffice the essential energy requirements.

On a larger scale, such retail spaces help to build a peaceful get-away from busy city life to relax by proposing a smooth interaction with nature and minimising any barriers between built structure and the landscape. In addition, larger retail spaces also cater to the consumer's large appetite to experiment and their contemporary needs amplifying the realm of luxury. As commercial spaces become the focus of future developments, it is necessary to create environmentally conscious designs that minimise the negative impact of buildings and enhance their energy efficiency. The upcoming developments need to adopt various sensible and sustainable strategies such as climate-responsive architecture, using renewable energy resources, use of recycled construction materials and so on. There is a need for adopting a sustainable approach to retail design that ensures efficient use of its resources and does not damage the environment either in the present or in the future.

About the author:

Amit Singhal, Director, GPM Architects and Planners, is the pioneering head of the commercial and recreational design teams, who has several successfully functioning projects to their merit. With experience in leading projects, his approach to design responds to individual context and enables the integration of natural and built environments. He has an eye for details and constantly explores the efficient use of new materials in projects. His projects also showcase a synergy of built spaces that are people friendly and appeal to clients' requirements, both strategically and financially.

The unprecedented impact of the pandemic on all industries has shifted the company’s approach towards creating designs that are resilient and meaningful for the future. Particularly in the retail sector, sustainability concerns are taking predominance, and the need for safer public spaces is changing its face towards an ingenious blend of traditional design principles with modern technology. As the company has become more aware of its surroundings, physical commercial spaces need to step up and offer an optimised shopping experience to engage with the users. The company’s approach towards the design of commercial spaces needs to go beyond the box type monotony of modern buildings and provide a solution that is sustainable and connected to nature while offering ample opportunities for engagement. One of the models to explore is the open to sky high street 'haat' experience, as it offers the best of both worlds, access to multiple retail stores and safe open spaces for customers to engage with. This model has all the facilities under one roof, along with multiple galleries, piazzas and landscaped courtyards that reinforce the users' connection with nature. Secondly, the space serves as a whole community in itself because it facilitates people to shop and relax within the complex, hence providing them with a social space to interact and helping in raising their standard of living. This approach has been successfully implemented in one of the projects, the 'Sapphire' at Gurugram. Re-defining the open market typology in a neighbourhood format, the Sapphire is a shopping complex with multiple retail, daily shopping and food options spread over three floors. Moving away from the traditional mall morphology, it is conceptualised with connected shopping streets and open courtyards to promote maximum engagement and enhance the user experience while also making it a safer option for shoppers. As 'the model' neighbourhood shopping complex, the Sapphire is conceptualised as a commercial facility in suburban Gurugram that engages people in a friendly and inspiring manner. While the consumer experience plays a major role in commercial spaces, an integrated design approach that considers the rules of environmental sustainability is equally necessary. The move towards sustainable architecture starts from protecting the environment and preserving it for future generations. Thus, the blueprint of future retail spaces needs to incorporate climate responsive strategies that improve the indoor air quality and microclimate by introducing greens inside the building, using renewable energy resources and local materials for construction. Incorporation of energy efficient design strategies into buildings needs to be promoted to create a healthy and comfortable environment, while the use of natural elements and technologies needs to be highlighted to conserve the natural resources and increase occupant comfort. These strategies drive the rules of enviro-sustainability by catering to operational costs of the building and reducing waste and pollutants inside the space. Numerous passive technologies can also be adopted to ensure that buildings are environmentally friendly and sustainable to the core. Some of them are - · Effective ventilation systems for efficient heating and cooling · Passive solar design features that utilise the sun's energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces. Responsible factors include shape and form of buildings, the orientation of facades, and building design that helps in reducing the heat gain by thermal insulation of roofs and walls · Energy efficient lighting and smart appliances · Water saving plumbing fixtures · Alternate sources of power such as solar and wind power · Usage of non-synthetic, non-toxic, locally available materials which are generally composed of renewable resources and are environmentally responsible · Efficient use of space · Use of mist or water bodies to control the indoor microclimate and, ·Use of shading devices to reduce the temperature. Keeping these strategies in mind, the upcoming Mahagun Marina Walk in Greater Noida incorporates rich vegetation and water bodies into the building, enhancing the microclimate with passive cooling, improved air quality, building energy efficiency, and the psychological benefits for its users. The design intent is to build a complex that blurs the line between interiors and exteriors and facilitates a relaxing and engaging environment by proposing a smooth interaction with nature. The materials for the building were also carefully selected, ones that are durable, contain recycled content, easily reused and are locally manufactured to reduce ramifications and negative environmental impacts. Internal finishes have been proposed to use low volatile materials, and AAC block walls are used for space segregation. Solar panels are installed on the rooftop to suffice the essential energy requirements. On a larger scale, such retail spaces help to build a peaceful get-away from busy city life to relax by proposing a smooth interaction with nature and minimising any barriers between built structure and the landscape. In addition, larger retail spaces also cater to the consumer's large appetite to experiment and their contemporary needs amplifying the realm of luxury. As commercial spaces become the focus of future developments, it is necessary to create environmentally conscious designs that minimise the negative impact of buildings and enhance their energy efficiency. The upcoming developments need to adopt various sensible and sustainable strategies such as climate-responsive architecture, using renewable energy resources, use of recycled construction materials and so on. There is a need for adopting a sustainable approach to retail design that ensures efficient use of its resources and does not damage the environment either in the present or in the future. About the author: Amit Singhal, Director, GPM Architects and Planners, is the pioneering head of the commercial and recreational design teams, who has several successfully functioning projects to their merit. With experience in leading projects, his approach to design responds to individual context and enables the integration of natural and built environments. He has an eye for details and constantly explores the efficient use of new materials in projects. His projects also showcase a synergy of built spaces that are people friendly and appeal to clients' requirements, both strategically and financially.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?