There is a certain beauty and character that old buildings possess, especially commercial architecture. Modern structures can often lack this. Contemporary construction may fit newer specifications, but the personality is often missing. That can be a big shame and may even compromise the value it brings to an area.

Revamping an older structure is the ideal way to combine both character and modern specs. It takes a neglected or out of date building and transforms it into something new and exciting. Furthermore, the costs of renovation are typically smaller than starting from scratch and it is better for the environment.

A lot of companies are actually gearing more towards remodelled structures rather than new builds. This is due to many factors. Examples include time constraints and the lack of available space. You may be a business owner that is considering taking your older building and renovating it to modern standards. If so, there are some things you must keep in mind.

Protect the features

One thing you will need to do here is preserve the historical features, whether it is commercial architecture or homes. According to a study on millennials, 97% of them appreciate the value of maintaining older structures. They are in support of reusing what exists already instead of building anew.

A big reason why people like restoring older constructs is that they tend to come with distinct elements. Newer buildings can lack them. Examples include beautifully intricate stained glass windows and hand-carved wood posts. When renovating, it is best to stand back and discover what makes the structure unique. This allows you to preserve what you cannot replicate.

Telling the building’s story

Modernising your structure might seem necessary. However, the history behind it still matters. It is vital to tell the story of what came before. Take photos prior to the remodelling to document how everything is. Another good idea would be to find old pictures of the building when it was utilised in other ways. This is a brilliant chance to conserve local history and celebrate how the building has evolved. At the same time, you can add value for the community.

Respect the past

Retrofitting commercial buildings is one of the leading ways of modifying older areas for contemporary needs. At the same time, it is essential to keep the space’s history for the future. By restoring an old structure, you can keep something distinct alive. Moreover, you can reuse materials, keeping things environmentally friendly.

There will be times when replacing and repairing can seem overwhelming. But, what you will get is something that separates itself from its competitors. It will provide more value, so is worth the time and cost.

Talk to us to look at changing commercial architecture

At Coffey Architects, we have taken part in a myriad of commercial projects. This includes everything from new builds to renovations. Thus, we are ready for whatever it is you need us to do. A major advantage here is we can look at potential challenges and make sure we have plans to tackle them.

So, please get in touch if there is any way we can help you with commercial architecture or other projects. You can also browse our website to see some of our work.