Commercial architectural services
What does a commercial architect do?
Commercial architects work on building projects like offices, factories, retail outlets and hotels. They don’t work on single-occupancy homes – you’d need a residential architect for that.
Commercial architects can design a commercial property to ensure that it meets your needs. They will discuss things like how traffic will move through the space and whether you’ll need facilities like cafeterias, toilets and parking. If you’re renovating a commercial building, they will be able to redesign a space to ensure it 100% matches your needs and each room flows well with each other.
Why should you get a commercial architect?
Commercial architects can often see how things fit together in a space much better than general builders or other tradespeople. Engaging an architect can help you build or renovate a truly luxurious commercial space that staff and clients will love spending time in.
Commercial architects can also work as project managers which is ideal if you’re busy and don’t have time to spend managing various tradespeople as they complete your project. After they have provided you with the designs and drawings, an architect can stay on to see the project through to the end and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Should you use a commercial architect or architectural designer?
To call themselves an architect, architects must be registered with the Architects Registration Board (ARB). If they want to join the ARB, architects need to have all the relevant qualifications and insurance. If someone calls themselves a commercial architect, you should check that they are registered with the ARB.
You might come across companies that call themselves architectural designers or technicians. These professionals are still highly skilled and have lots of qualifications, but they haven’t done the full training to be an architect. They don’t need to be registered with the ARB, and because of this their fees are often much lower than those of a fully-qualified architect.
Whether you choose a commercial architect or a designer depends on the service you’re looking for. If you’re looking for detailed drawings and designs and for someone to take on the role of project manager, you should look for a commercial architect. If you’re looking for simple drawings, a commercial architectural designer or technician may be right for you.
Can hiring a commercial architect save you money?
While engaging a commercial architect isn’t moneysaving in itself, in the long term it could be. Architects will see a space in its entirety and be able to see whether there will be any potential issues such as foot traffic bottlenecks or problems with plumbing or other facilities. If you build your commercial property and then notice these issues, it could cost thousands of pounds to rectify. Preventing any problems that could occur later down the line will always save you money in the long run.