The newest PUMA outlet location, at Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, New York, was formally recognized with LEED© Platinum certification by the USGBC, a third party council who verifies the sustainability of buildings. Architectural design firm Colkitt&Co, renowned for their awardwinning work in retail design, was tapped by PUMA to carry out the brand’s global, sustainable outlet model.

In February 2012, the mall’s 1.3 million-square-foot expansion received LEED Gold certification, making it the largest LEED Gold certified commercial building in the world. This is PUMA’s first LEED Platinum store, and is one of only 17 retail spaces under the interior design and construction retail category across the United States to hold the same certification.

PUMA North America’s internal design leadership assembled a team consisting of Colkitt&Co, KLH Engineers, Complete Construction Company, Executive Retail Interiors LLC, National Energy & Light Inc., and Bergmann Associates to ensure that sustainability efforts were made towards energy usage reduction, recyclability, fixture reuse and quality environmental improvement. In order to earn the highest level of LEED certification, the team refined numerous retail and green principles culminating in a Platinum certification.

Energy and atmosphere optimization were essential factors to sustainability, so the team employed a lighting application that alternates the fixtures at a forty five-degree angle to maximize the amount of lighting per square footage, yet decrease energy usage by 40 percent in comparison to standard retail environments. In combination with Destiny USA’s own method of harvesting water from the roof’s drainage system, Colkitt&Co and KLH Engineers incorporated low-flow plumbing fixtures, reducing water usage by 30 percent, contributing to an overall 70 percent reduction.

The interactive retail stores are based on a modular fixture concept that encourages flexibility, reuse, and smart mass-production. All fixtures are mobile, including the fitting rooms, lending themselves to interaction and change as needed. The team selected GreenGuard certified furniture and EnergyStar rated equipment, as well as fixtures sealed with low VOC paint to improve the air quality and promote future recyclability.

From the rapidly renewable bamboo, recycled metals, modular furniture, locally sourced products, FSC certified wood, LED lighting, and the simple methods of construction with just a socket set, the space is brimming with thoughtful choices relative to the future. “The entire remodel is committed to sustainability and this location is a refined culmination of the team’s design work for PUMA outlets over the last three years,” explained Nathan Colkitt, founder of Colkitt&Co.

Photography by Garrett Rowland

About Colkitt&Co
Colkitt&Co is a San Diego and New York based studio of architects, designers, builders and innovators. Founded in 2006 by Nathan Lee Colkitt, the firm has transformed a variety of residential, retail, commercial and hospitality environments inspired by relationships and ideas shaping the people and business models informing the spaces. Collaborating with people, agencies, brands and communities, Colkitt&Co creates successful environments: Drawn Together ™.