When designing commercial buildings, the needs of would-be clients supersede the interests of the designer and developer. Read this extract to understand the various factors that influence commercial building design.

Space

People no longer want to be confined in small spaces. As such, most clients are willing to pay top-dollar for spacious offices and retail space. Reduce the number of walls inside the building to give clients the freedom to customise their spaces. High ceilings, light colours and the incorporation of natural light are sure ways to make a room feel spacious.

Energy Efficiency

Most of your clients are environmentally conscious. As such, they would be interested to know whether the building is energy-efficient. Below are some ways to improve the energy efficiency of your building: 

Insulation will help regulate the internal temperatures during the summer and winter. Proper insulation reduces the need for air conditioning.

If possible, install solar power in the building.

Install an appropriate system of ventilation to prevent the build-up of moisture.

All appliances in the building should be energy efficient.

Large windows will allow natural light into the building. As such, clients do not have to use electricity during the day.

Use environmentally friendly building materials. For instance, you could use recycled products.

Safety

Your clients should feel safe when inside the building. In Australia, commercial buildings must meet fire safety standards. For instance, the premises should have a fire alarm and sprinklers to help control fires. Besides, the building must have fire extinguishers and fire escape ladders. Below are some other safety features to install in the building. 

The building should have emergency elevators and exits. They prevent stampedes in case of an emergency inside the building.

Install an intercom system to be used by security officers during an emergency.

You may want to avoid slippery floors that could cause falls.

The building should have a fire assembly point where people will gather if a fire erupts inside the building. 

Amenities

The building should have state-of-the-art amenities. For instance, each floor should have a small lounge where people can relax during coffee and lunch breaks. Besides, you could have recreational areas such as a small park, swimming pool and gazebo. When building high-rise buildings, allocate some space for restaurants and retail shops. Your building must have sufficient parking space. Underground parking is an instant option when building in urban areas. The building should have ramps, rails and special washrooms for the disabled.

When designing commercial buildings, ensure the rooms are spacious, make the building energy-efficient and install the recommended safety features and amenities.

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