One of the greatest things about human society is that we rarely rest on our laurels. Conventions can come and go, changing how we do all kinds of tasks as we advance. This means things like efficiency and safety are always improving. We’re at a time now where commercial architecture needs to evolve. We want to look at this today and how some key factors are now vital for buildings to be a success.
Past conventions
In the past commercial buildings were focused on profit and performance. We looked at which kind of designs could produce the best margins or deliver the highest capacity for the amount of space. However, buildings built with this kind of design are largely out of date today. That is especially true with offices and factories. So, recalibration is necessary.
One of the major drivers of change is the shift in working patterns. Hybrid is here to stay now, so buildings like offices generally don’t need as much capacity. You could have someone coming in twice a week to use a desk rather than needing a permanent seat they will use every day. So, you can use the space more effectively for other things.
New conventions
As we said, there are a number of key factors that are essential for commercial architecture to be a success today.
Firstly, is to ensure buildings are vibrant hubs. The focus is on longer solely on the job. Instead, properties can be mixed use, including all manner of different things. If you can create a hub that brings people together, the results can be fantastic.
A great thing to do here is combine different spaces and amenities. For example, you can have workspace, food and beverage outlets, gyms, art, entertainment and event space, and various other community facilities. The idea is to make people spend time in the property doing things other than just working. It keeps it alive and vibrant beyond work hours and broadens the number of stakeholders.
Another key convention today is sustainability. An issue with numerous old buildings is they weren’t built with this in mind. So, they can struggle with high operating costs and other issues. Instead, new designs should look at how they can make the building sustainable. This can include green tech, efficient heating and lighting, and more.
Finally, are conventions for aesthetics. There can be some major arguments here because tastes and opinions differ massively. Some want to see old, historic buildings saved to preserve the character. Others prefer fresh, modern designs. There is no right or wrong answer. The key is to consider what you can do and how to blend elements, showing reverence to history as well as looking to the future.
Do you need some help with commercial architecture?
Coffey Architects is a company that never stands still. We are always looking at how to do new and exciting things. This ensures clients can come to us for wonderful designs and to explore any kind of ideas, even cutting edge ones.
So, if you want some help with commercial architecture, from new builds to renovations, speak to us. You can also view some of our work on our website.