In the past the whole focus with commercial architecture was to facilitate the operations of the business. Today that is just one element. There are several other factors to think about too, including the wellbeing of workers and the environment. Luckily, the right designs can benefit people and places, ensuring they have a positive impact.

Benefiting the local community and economy

New developments can have a really great impact on local people and economies by creating jobs and increasing local spending power. A number of areas struggle when traditional industries close. It can result in high unemployment and deprivation. But, investment can bring new opportunities, especially if businesses recruit locally. It can change the fortunes of an area.

Wellbeing

It is quite commonly known that offices and office workers can benefit when buildings have wellbeing facilities. For example, it could be a gym, a restaurant, or even just a breakout space for relaxing. They can be a great investment, making staff happier, healthier, and more productive.

However, you tend not to see these kinds of facilities in other commercial architecture, including retail and hospitality. Instead, the focus is typically just on capacity. The businesses are missing an opportunity here. They can give their employees more benefits by introducing new spaces and facilities for them.

The most important thing businesses need to think about today is employees are far more mobile. On average, they tend to stay in a job for four years before moving on. This is more frequent than past generations where people could reach 20+ years of service in the same company. If you want to make employees stay, you need to ensure they are happy and enjoy turning up for work.

Protect the local area

Businesses also need to be more aware today of the impact they have on the local environment. Sadly in the past there were far fewer concerns about this. The end result is often contaminated sites and derelict buildings. Large pieces of land in the UK are unusable because of previous activity or need a massive investment in remediation before redevelopment.

Today every business should think about the long term impact. They should be looking to maximise sustainability and protect the environment. Good designs here ensure there are no issues such as land contamination. They can also use green technology and insulation to reduce operating carbon emissions. This is much better for the environment.

Do you need help with commercial architecture?

The most important thing to keep in mind is that commercial buildings can have the power to really benefit people and places. You just need to design with them in mind. Think about the broader impact of developments and how they can help people. Plus, ensure they will have a good time working in the buildings. Finally, ensure preserving the environment is a core consideration for every aspect of the project.

Coffey Architects is a team you can rely on to help with these developments. We have plenty of experience and can ensure the work benefits as many stakeholders as possible. More importantly, we can design buildings that will have a bright future because they will be adaptable to suit changes in needs.

So, if you are thinking about commercial architecture, contact us. You can also learn more about us and our work on our website.