Puma has opened a sustainable store in India which uses building materials as unique as old DVD players and silt.

The store, located in the Bangalore suburb of Indiranagar, is spread over 800sqm. It has been locally developed and sourced and incorporates a number of revolutionary and innovative design elements to ensure major energy savings as well as environmentally friendly-sourcing practices.

While the lower levels will serve as a retail area, a ‘Puma Social Club’ cafe and bar will be located on the upper floor and terrace and will be ready to open by the end of 2012.

“Establishing a sustainable Puma Store underlines our commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, energy, water and waste in Puma offices, stores, warehouses and direct supplier factories by 2015,” said Franz Koch, CEO of Puma.

“The building is a true design marvel and incorporates a host of innovative sustainability features to make our sustainable Puma store a one-of-a-kind retail experience,” said Rajiv Mehta, MD, Puma south Asia.

The sustainability features include the use of recycled steel from old DVD players, bicycles and tiffin boxes. The store’s layout has been designed in a way that more than 90 per cent of the interior spaces have direct access to natural daylight so that less artificial light is needed and it is 100 per cent solar-sourced power.

The furniture and fixture in this store were made of recycled wood while low volatile organic compound paint has been used to paint the walls.

The store is also fitted with occupancy sensors which provide automatic on/off control so lights are used when the space is occupied. When not, the lights are automatically turned off.

The store’s roof garden keeps the building insulated from the direct heat of the sun and the plants keep the temperature lower.

The store will retail a range of products made from organic cotton as well as Puma’s Wilderness Collection – primarily sourced and produced in Africa using sustainable materials.

For the first time in India, the sustainable Puma Store also introduces Puma’s global ‘Bring Me Back” program – an in-store recycling program for footwear, apparel and soft accessories.

To generate awareness and appreciation for sustainability amongst the citizens of Bangalore, Puma has involved the art and design community. The brand has partnered with Trapeze Design Studio as well as young installation artists from the city to create large-format installations using waste material.

GB