Commercial architecture: the art and science of designing commercial structures

When people think of architecture, often the first examples they picture are the grand, imposing buildings of centuries-old cities like Rome and Athens, or the abstract, innovative private homes seen scattered across the British countryside. However, architecture extends far beyond the most common examples that immediately spring to mind.

Architecture takes the simple definition of a structure and turns it into something more. This doesn’t just apply to the towering buildings of civilisations past, or the impressive modern structures of today, like the Sydney Opera House or the Guggenheim Museum. It applies to all successful buildings, even those that you may not realise have had excessive planning and design put behind them.

Office blocks, hospitals, warehouses and more are designed with the utmost care and attention to fit the purpose, needs, and safety requirements of all who use them. This is commercial architecture.

In this article, we’ll explore commercial architecture, what sectors fit under the title, and why good commercial architecture is essential.

What is commercial architecture?

Commercial architecture is the planning, designing, and building of structures intended for commercial purposes. A commercial purpose is essentially anything that is undertaken in order to benefit a business or generate profit, often in the form of services or products which must be delivered, whether to the public or clients, customers, guests, or other users.

A commercial building must adequately support the users, from factory workers to doctors and nurses, ensuring that their day-to-day operations are possible. These structures should be designed to allow for comfortable and efficient use for every single user, which can often make commercial architecture far more complex than other areas of the profession. A home can be designed to suit one family’s needs, whereas a library may need to be designed with many requirements in mind to suit the different ages, abilities, and cultures of those who will use it.

Commercial architecture is an art and science separate from other architectural styles, with endless design possibilities available alongside the many key considerations that are essential to take on board during the planning and design process.

Types of commercial architecture

As commercial architecture typically covers any building that will be used for offering commercial or public services, it encompasses many different sectors.

Offices

Office blocks, business parks, and similar structures and spaces are created for those working office jobs. The office design landscape has completely transformed over the last few decades, with businesses often favouring open-plan spaces, thought to help promote employee wellbeing. From tower blocks of office floors to single units in business parks, offices must be designed with efficiency at the forefront.

Industrial

Warehouses, storage facilities, manufacturing facilities, research and development buildings, and data centres all fall under industrial buildings. Due to the diverse requirements of these various business types, industrial buildings can look very different from one to the next. Safety is of paramount importance in industrial sectors as many of these structures will house large machinery or tech and have a fast-paced and constant flow of workers.

Hospitality

Bars, restaurants, and hotels are designed with guests in mind to maximise their comfort and experience of the building. Aesthetics are important here, along with functionality. The goal is to design a space that people enjoy the look of and feel comfortable and safe in, while providing what’s needed for the behind-the-scenes operations to function, such as kitchens and laundry rooms.

Entertainment

This is another commercial sector that demands safety in the form of well-designed crowd management systems. With larger spaces such as arenas welcoming tens of thousands of people for football matches or concerts, these building types must be spacious and unobstructed, which can pose challenges within the design.

Retail

When designing for retail spaces, architects will look at customer behaviour as well as the client’s requirements. Retail buildings must be engaging and enticing to draw people in, which can be supported by the building’s design in addition to the retail store’s own visual marketing efforts. The shopping experience must be considered, along with ensuring the space has an element of flexibility for shop refreshes.

Key design considerations in commercial architecture

Commercial architecture follows the same principal steps as other types of architecture, but there are differences in the various elements that need to be considered in the design. The client’s business needs are at the forefront, ensuring the building meets the very specific and often complex requirements of the staff who work there, as well as all others who use the building. Commerce and operations are the main purposes of these buildings, which means extra consideration will be paid to ensuring efficiency and comfort.

When creating commercial architecture, sustainability is often heavily prominent. Designing with environmental responsibility in mind not only helps the planet in mitigating climate change, but it also comes with economic benefits that positively impact commercial businesses. Reduced operational costs, thanks to more energy-efficient buildings, and the possibility of eligibility for government incentives are just some of these benefits businesses can enjoy from sustainably designed architecture.

Environmentally responsible architecture also comes with social benefits, such as improved air quality within the buildings, a structure that workers and communities can be proud of, and a less impactful construction process on the community as a whole.

What does successful commercial architecture look like?

A successful example of commercial architecture will prioritise the business’s needs. It will be functional, flexible, aesthetically appealing and harmonious with its surrounding environment, deliver an excellent user experience to those who use the building, and incorporate sustainability in its design and build.

To achieve these results while considering the complex needs of the individual business, you need expert architects and planners at the helm, utilising skill, experience, and technology to produce the best outcome. Here at Wincer Kievanaar, our commercial architects have years of experience to offer only the most efficient, purposeful, and thoughtful designs for your operational needs. Call us today on 01473 827992 or email us at [email protected] to speak to a member of our team.