Designing and building a commercial property goes beyond a large level of financial commitment as you also have to be fully engaged with every aspect of the design process if you are going to create a workspace that is pleasing on the eye and highly functional.
Getting the aesthetics and functionality just right can be a tough feat to achieve, which is why using the services of an architectural consultant is a good strategy. Here is a look at some of the key points that need to be discussed at the design stage if you want to create a commercial building that ticks all the right boxes.
First impressions count
It is often said that first impressions count and if you want to impress anyone walking through the doors of your building for the very first time it is clear that your design plans need to work on creating that all-important wow factor.
The aim should be to try and create an entrance to the building that is architecturally innovating, attractive, and memorable.
This goal can be achieved using a number of design tricks such as good lighting, attractive decor, and makes good use of the space available.
Decide on your architectural style
Some buildings are sleek and ultra-modern in appearance while others are seriously imposing as you approach them to go inside.
The fundamental point here is there is no mistaking that a building has a distinct personality if the design process is focused on achieving a certain architectural style.
It should be remembered that it is not just the external design that can have an impact as the materials you use can also make a substantial difference. If you decide that you want to create a building that has a futuristic feel and appearance to it, for example, you will have to select the building materials with care.
Think carefully about your choice of windows
The windows in your building should be viewed as something much more than functional and they can have a major impact on how your building looks and feels.
Windows control how much natural light comes into the building and if you choose a style and size of window that does not maximize your options it can have a detrimental impact on how the building looks and people working inside won’t enjoy the experience either.
It is always a good idea to take your time choosing a style and size of window for your building that manages to be fit for purpose and also manages to enhance the appearance of your property at the same time.
Get help with your lighting
A classic design mistake that can come back to haunt you is when you choose your lighting options for the building as an afterthought.
Getting your lighting right in a commercial building is of paramount importance and there is much more to it than choosing some standard commercial light fittings and expecting them to do the job.
Various parts of the building will likely have more complex lighting design needs than others and there are all sorts of other considerations to consider such as the aspect of the building, which will influence what type of lighting you need.
Once you have your floor layout planned it would make sense to get an opinion from a lighting professional who will know how to provide the right level of illumination throughout the building.
Think about how the building will flow
You will almost certainly have been inside a commercial building where it seems very difficult to navigate your way around and different parts of the building seem totally disconnected from the rest of it.
That is not the vibe that you want to achieve when you are designing your own commercial building.
The trick is to use a design that manages to create flow within the property. That aim can be achieved when a variety of different aspects all pull together, such as lighting, using the right building materials, and other factors that might spoil how the building flows if you are not careful.
Think about the exterior
It is worth revisiting the idea that you need to make your commercial building visually appealing from the outside and in addition to an attractive building design you also want to focus on getting your landscaping right.
This aspect of design does require a bit of forward-planning as it takes time to create good coverage with plants and trees unless you have a big budget for mature specimens.
Don’t underestimate the value of landscaping in terms of achieving a certain look to your property and helping to heavily influence how it is perceived by every visitor.
Landscaping is something to think about at the beginning of the project rather than at the end of it.
Parking is a big deal
Staying with the outside of the property it is essential that you address the issue of parking around the building as it is a critical factor when designing a site.
If your site is in a dense central location it is likely that parking will be at a premium and if you are out of town it is likely that people will travel by car to the building, which means they need somewhere to park.
Aim to be as creative as possible with the number of parking spaces you create and think about how this will impact access to the building as well.
Safety considerations
Your building design needs to incorporate some robust and effective safety features so that all the occupants using the space are able to exit safely and stay protected in the event of an emergency.
Fire safety and a clearly defined exit strategy
If you manage to keep these key design points in mind and use them as cornerstones in your building plans it should allow you to create a commercial property that is stunning and effective, both inside and out.
