Commercial architecture has had to adapt over time to reflect the requirements of the audience. This trend is still occurring today and in many cases is even accelerating. The most notable changes in this regard are the response to developments in technology. There are remarkably few properties that have not had to change to incorporate this.

Another big area of change is that people expect to have an experience when they step into a property, whether they are working or shopping. This is particularly true amongst the millennial generation.

Experiences are now seen as more valuable than contents alone. As a result businesses need to ensure they get them right. This has seen the rise in events including pop-up shops, live performances and meet-and-greets. All three can provide the kind of experience that people are looking for.

The trouble is that the commercial architecture itself must be appropriate for the requirements of the audience. Buildings should be engaging and inspiring, both inside and out to have the best impact. They also need to have the correct layout whilst simultaneously satisfying spatial needs.

This means that spaces should be designed specifically with what happens in mind rather than simply focusing on the aesthetics. The look and feel remains important but the use of the space and benefits it provides in this regard are more important. This creates challenges for business owners and architects too.

The best thing to do is view commercial architecture as an asset and look to get the best returns from it. To do that the space must satisfy the needs of the audience effectively. With this in mind it is wise to create spaces that are flexible and multi-functional. These can change to suit the needs of users.

At Coffey Architects we understand that the physical manifestation of commercial architecture and the experience need to coincide effectively. We design with this in mind and never lose sight of how important it is to get all of the details right, even down to the smallest ones. You can see this fact from the designs we have created.