ABOUT INTEGRAL

THE NAME "INTEGRAL"

Integral carries layers of meaning that altogether express a future we are working towards – one where economic prosperity is sustained in holistic harmony with the environment and every part of society. The mathematical meaning of this word is a reminder of how every small change adds up.

The very same concept can be found in its Chinese name “Shi-Ru”, which originates from the “Ten Suchnesses” (Form, Culture, Embodiment, Potency, Function, Cause, Relation, Effect, Rebalance, Harmony), a set of traditional philosophical concepts pointing towards a continuous pursuit for perfection.

It also signifies the importance of being one with the laws of nature, mirroring Esquel’s commitment to balancing sustainable development with the continuous progress of its business, employees’ well-being, customer service and community development.

Our ideology with Integral echoes the key concept of Integral ecology detailed in Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment. Flowing from the understanding that everything is closely related, the concept recognizes how a vision must take every aspect of the global environmental crisis into account.

HISTORY

In 2011, Esquel Group acquired Guilin Yinhai Textiles Group, a state-owned enterprise with a history of more than half a century, and established Guilin Esquel Textiles Co. Ltd.

The Group announced the Integral project in Guilin in 2012, later positioning it as a Sustainable Development Garden, demonstrating a pioneering development model for the future that extends beyond the textile industry.

By working together with the local government in their city planning, we were able to smoothly relocate our operation from downtown Guilin to the scenic landscape that Integral calls home today.

Construction began on site in December 2013 and we opened our first production facility, a highly automated specialty spinning mill in September 2018. The commencement of our garment operation followed in March 2019, with the relocation of Guilin Esquel Textiles Co., Ltd. into Integral. The construction of Phase 1 was completed with the official opening of our office complex in October 2020, bringing our project one step closer to the full realization of our vision for Integral.

ARCHITECTURAL CONCEPTS

To bring Esquel’s sustainable development from concept to life, we have worked with world-class partners, including award-winning architecture firm Ronald Lu & Partners, who has designed the garden with eight key concepts in mind.

HIDE
HIDE HIDE
The architecture is designed to blend into the landscape, setting it unobtrusively into nature.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION REFLECTION
The surroundings invite imagination through reflection, capturing the scenic beauty of Guilin.
RESTORATION
RESTORATION RESTORATION
The land, once marred by a brick factory, has been allowed to heal and regain its former natural beauty.
INTEGRATION
INTEGRATION INTEGRATION
Humans and manufacturing are put right at the heart of nature to show how they may co-exist in harmony.
SUSTAINABILITY
SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY
The design incorporates sustainable building materials and respects local species in its surroundings.
TRANSPARENCY
TRANSPARENCY TRANSPARENCY
Expansive use of glass allows for both outward views of nature, and inward views of sunlit shopfloors.
CONTEXTUAL
CONTEXTUAL CONTEXTUAL
Keen recognition of our context means we respect the local culture and landscape, and source building materials from proximate locations.
INNOVATION
INNOVATION INNOVATION
Function and form come together in innovative ways, often merging the traditional with the modern.

ACCOLADES

Integral is proud to be recognized across multiple international and professional platforms. It is our hope that our efforts will continue to inspire changes in the industry.

2021

Architizer A + Awards

Popular Choice Winner (Factories & Warehouses Category)

 

2020

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Awards 2019/20

Merit Award outside Hong Kong (Industrial/Transport/Utility Building Category)

 

2019

The American Institute of Architects International Region Design Award 2019

Honor Award for Architecture

Sustainable Future Award

 

MIPIM Asia Awards 2019

Best Futura Mega Project – Gold Winner

 

The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA)

Cross-Strait Architectural Design Awards 2019 – Gold Awards

 

Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited and Professional Green Building Council – Green Building Award

Merit Award for New Buildings Category

 

2018

The American Institute of Architects Hong Kong Honors & Awards

Merit Award for Urban Design

AROUND THE GARDEN

Gardens in Chinese culture are where stories can be told, and here we tell the ones of our people, planet, technology and culture. Explore the site using the interactive map below to learn about each consideration and effort we have thoughtfully made at Integral.

ABOUT INTEGRAL
Dining Halls
Dining Halls

A lakeside complex providing diverse and healthy meal options

Garment Operation
Garment Operation

Two floors of lean production units where up to 300,000 shirts are made monthly

Innovation Center
Innovation Center

A showcase of achievements in research and development and an incubator of new ideas

Learning Center
Learning Center

Multi-functional spaces for refreshing exchanges of ideas and knowledge

Lion Rock
Lion Rock

An iconic rock formation to point to our Hong Kong origins

Logistics Center (Garment)
Logistics Center (Garment)
Logistics Center (Spinning)
Logistics Center (Spinning)
Natural Dye Botanic Garden
Natural Dye Botanic Garden

53,000 square meters of experimental grounds for local dye plants

Office Complex
Office Complex

Reimagined workspace built for teamwork and productivity

Power Station
Power Station
Specialty Spinning Operation
Specialty Spinning Operation

Specialty yarns produced by 38,000 spindles with advanced automation

The Greenery
The Greenery

Lush foliage that integrates the site with nature

The Lake
The Lake

A natural mirror blending the site seamlessly into the local landscape

Visitor Center
Visitor Center

A warm welcome that leads into discovering the stories around the garden

INTEGRAL CONVERSATION

An annual Esquel flagship event since 2014, Integral Conversation provides thought leaders and experts from diverse fields an independent platform to exchange insights and perspectives on sustainable development models.

Discussion topics have spanned culture, education, innovation, urban planning, architecture, healthcare, and digital transformation, and how they are connected to the concept of sustainability.

Integral Conversation encourages a deep dive into the challenge of having both the environment and the economy thrive together, with Integral acting as a solid demonstration of how one sustainable development model might look like.

VISIT INTEGRAL CONVERSATION WEBSITE