Building a sustainable future from the ground up

At a time when most retail spaces have become havens of consumption, Essensai067 is quietly rewriting the rules. Nestled within the urban sprawl of Bengaluru, this thoughtfully designed retail and cultural space was never meant to be just another retail destination. The goal was to create ”Our Happy Space” – a place to slow down, belong, and find joy.

Building with purpose

The site that Essensai067 calls home was once an old textile factory. Rather than erase that history, the team chose to honour it. The original structure was not demolished, but retrofitted. Materials were repurposed.

The soil excavated during the renovation efforts was transformed into compressed earth blocks. These eco-friendly, low-energy bricks now make up the building’s walls. It was also symbolic of transforming what was once beneath the feet of factory workers into walls that shelter. This reflects Essensai067’s commitment to rootedness, regeneration, and using what already exists. What is more significant is that the climate-responsive architecture is designed for natural cooling.

By retrofitting the structure, not just was the construction waste reduced, memories were preserved, and belief in regeneration – of spaces and purpose - embodied and renewed.

Nature, named and nurtured

One of the most striking aspects of Essensai067 is the green cover. Over 100 of the 120 trees that originally stood on the property were preserved, with some thoughtfully transplanted. Pathways have been designed around the tree trunks, and buildings now breathe around canopies. Shade, oxygen, and time – the trees offer more than any design could ever hope to.

But the connection does not stop with preservation. Small installations will soon dot the landscape, telling the backstory of each tree – its species and even its ‘birthday’. Marking a tree’s birthday transforms it from a passive presence to a living participant in the space. And, celebrating a tree’s birthday each year creates a special bond and redefines what it means to belong to a place. This is a small effort to show that nature is not just a backdrop, it’s a cohabitant. With this reverence for nature, especially in the heart of the metropolis, Essensai067 distinguishes itself from traditional retail models.

Closing the loop on resources

The commitment to sustainability extends beyond symbolic efforts. Essensai067 already operates on a net-zero water discharge model. A 500,000-litre rainwater harvesting system, 19 recharge pits, and 10% water recycling to potable standards ensure that no water is wasted. Water-efficient fixtures across the space help reduce the consumption by 35%.

On the energy front, a 750 kW solar power system supports lighting common areas and core operational functions. This effort has reduced dependence on fossil fuels and enabled up to 50% energy efficiency gains across the property.

In every metric, from reusing construction waste, organic waste composting, to water use, the space models what it means to live within our ecological limits.

Rewriting the retail narrative

Essensai067 stands in stark contrast to most retail environments that are designed not for empathy, but for efficiency. It has been proven that sustainability and commercial viability are not mutually exclusive; a retail development can be both profitable and carbon-conscious. Essensai067 is setting the benchmark by redefining what a ‘mall’ could mean, not just for India, but globally.