New Commercial Buildings: Why We Love Commercial Design And How We Approach It

[TOPIC: New commercial buildings | Commercial design process | Site assessment & orientation | Materials & build quality | Wayfinding, security & accessibility | Budget & scope management | Functional & aesthetic balance]

Overview

Designing new commercial buildings gives us an opportunity to stretch all our architectural muscles.

Good commercial building design combines our knowledge of:

• Building science
  

• Public space use
  

• Aesthetics know-how
  

• Budget management
  

• And a multitude of other architectural skills
  
  

Together, these elements help us create beautiful, functional, efficient structures that positively shape communities.

Section 1 — The Complexity and Challenge of Commercial Design

We love the complexity and challenge of new commercial building projects.
A big reason they’re challenging is that they involve a whole team of consultants, giving us a chance to exercise:

• High-level project management
  

• Leadership
  

• Coordination
  

An architect oversees each commercial project from start to finish and is tasked with keeping the entire, complicated process on track.

Having a good architect in your corner is essential.
With a firm like ours at the helm:

• Bumps in the road become smoother
  

• Expectations are managed effectively
  

• Clients are well-informed to make decisions
  

• Projects stay on a reasonable timeline
  

Section 2 — How We Approach New Commercial Buildings

Alright, then. But how do we do it?
Here’s what we consider when we design new commercial buildings — from the initial site walk to the ribbon cutting.

Subsection: Site Assessment, Scale & Orientation

We start by assessing the site for your new building, working with:

• Contractors
  

• Site evaluators
  

• Other professionals
  

This helps determine the best place to build on the land.

Once we establish placement, we work with you to determine the use and scale of the building.

When developing a design, the first step is to decide how to orient the structure.
Orientation is based on factors such as:

• Sunlight and shade
  

• Surrounding structures
  

• Roadways
  

• Purpose and function
  

We ask key questions like:

• How will the public approach the building?
  

• Where will parking be located?
  

• How will visitors or customers find the right entrance?
  

• Which directions will windows face?
  

The answers guide the overall building design.

Subsection: Materials

Commercial buildings have many uses.
Examples include:

• A boutique small business shopping center (shops, restaurants, gathering spaces)
  

• A performance center (auditorium, black box theater, rehearsal spaces, offices, grand foyer)
  

• An office building (reception area, conference rooms, private offices, collective workspaces)
  
  

To unify such diverse programs, we choose materials carefully, using common elements for cohesion.
Visual balance and composed views shape how people experience the building.

Exterior design:
We use high-quality, long-lasting materials — commercial-grade glazing, roofing, siding, and more.
Top-quality materials help reduce maintenance costs and enhance the public’s experience.

Interior design:
We create harmony through:

• A consistent color palette
  

• Purpose-driven surface and wall treatments
  

• Fabric choices that reflect both use and aesthetics
  
  

We also design vignettes and focal points — such as:

• A lighted accent wall
  

• A seating area
  

• A well-placed reception desk
  

Subsection: Wayfinding, Security & Accessibility

We make buildings simple and intuitive to navigate through clear wayfinding — the architectural practice of helping people understand where they are and where to go.

We use:

• Visual cues
  

• Material choices
  

• Strategic entrance locations
  

• Graphics and signage
  

• Logical spatial flow
  
  

Wayfinding also supports security and accessibility:

• It helps the public find appropriate areas
  

• Keeps private spaces (e.g., exam rooms) secure
  

• Signals where to wait or seek information
  
  

We also design for accessibility and inclusivity, going beyond code compliance to consider the lived experience of people using mobility devices and other accessibility tools.

Subsection: Budget & Scope

Throughout the process, we:

• Track the project budget
  

• Help you make sound financial decisions
  

• Use high-grade materials strategically
  
  

We often advise clients to invest more heavily in public spaces, since they:

• Welcome visitors
  

• Set the tone for the entire building
  
  

We also recommend one bold design move instead of trying to make every move bold — a smart way to save money while achieving strong design impact.

© Artisans Group Architecture + Planning — Sustainable Architecture, Passive House, and Passive Building Design Experts