IT’S a name that is synonymous with adventure and capturing the spirit of the outdoors in everyday life, so when Kathmandu opened their newest flagship retail store in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, they set about doing so in an environmentally sensitive way.

Melbourne Artisan, Gorni Cahani from Render It Oz was excited to take part in the innovative project installing more than 250m2 of concrete look render across the walls of the two-storey building.

“When the shop fitting team first approached me, we spoke in depth about the importance of the ecofriendly principles Kathmandu were trying to create with this store and what products I thought would work best.

“I was certain that a clay based render was going to a perfect fit for the look and feel the client wanted, especially given its green credentials.” Cahani said.

Kathmandu Galleria, is located on one of the city’s most sought after retail real estate spaces, on the corner of Bourke Street and Elizabeth Street in Melbourne’s CBD – not the kind of place you’d expect a green building to sprout.

It is the first retail space in Australasia to achieve the Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) five-star green rating – credentials the outdoor clothing retailer are extremely proud of.

Kathmandu sustainability spokesperson, Tim Loftus, says that the Galleria store brings the company’s commitment to sustainability to life.

“Kathmandu is creating a benchmark for sustainable design and building in retail.

“The Galleria store speaks to our brand belief of respecting the environment. We’re incredibly proud to invite Melburnians to visit Galleria and experience the store.” Mr Loftus said.

The Galleria store was purpose built to target the five-star green accreditation; using sustainable design techniques, building practices and materials, the store includes features and technologies that reduce its carbon emissions and the amount of waste sent to landfill.