What Do Commercial Architects Do?

Commercial architects or architects are a commonly used name in the construction business. A commercial not only manages property from the ground up but also works in expansion, renovation or modification. A commercial architect provides his/her service to construct the property following the brand’s image planning architectural features, designs and floorplans. They not only handle their part of the work but also work in tandem with other professionals like contractors and builders to ensure that the architectural design receives the implementation it deserves.

Who Are Commercial Architects?

Put simply, a commercial architect is a graduate individual responsible for designing architectural plans. They focus on properties like a shopping complex or a company headquarters. They meet up with their clients and assist them in determining a budget for their project and incorporate the likes and requirements of their clients into the architectural design of the property. Different materials have different properties and costs attached to them, an architectural architect helps in deciding the materials for the construction of the property.

How Do Commercial Architects Work?

• PRE-DESIGN PHASE: This is the primary step of creating an architectural design for any commercial architect. In this step, the architect aims to create a rough design incorporating the needs and demands of the clients and establishes a clear budget to start the project.
• SCHEMATIC DESIGN PHASE: In this stage, the architect plans out a rough design for the project that incorporates the suggestions and requirements of the clients. There are multiple designs made and optimised after discussion with clients. Here the architect takes into account the multiple changes that the clients suggest and further improves their design to create the final design. This stage defines and sets the stage for the main design.
• DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PHASE: This stage finalises the architectural design of the project. In this stage, the design is perfected and placed for windows, architectural focal points, places for staircases and windows. In this phase, the architects select materials, define the systems and also improve the structure’s strength and effectiveness. Other additions like the placement of doors and finishes used in the building.
• CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS PHASE: In this phase, the entire construction of the proposed design. A complete blueprint of construction is built here. Detailed specifications, measurements and markings are made in the blueprint. Any errors during this phase can lead to major losses and delays in the project, which makes this an essential part of the design process.
• BUILDING PERMITS: Once the construction documents are designed, they need to be submitted to the responsible authorities to obtain the building permits for the construction.
• CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION: In this phase, the architect switches from working to being a supervisor. He/She manages the construction of the project and its actual completion.

Top Reasons To Choose A Commercial Architect

• Projects From Down To Up:  When it comes to such projects, an architect is an essential part of your commercial project. A commercial architect surveys the sight, acknowledges the needs and requirements of the clients and prepares a complete layout of the plan. The architect also assists in getting a clearance for construction from the concerned authorities.
• Remodelling: When it comes to remodelling a pre-existing structure, an architect is not needed until there is a requirement to make any changes to the existing structure of the building. When structural changes are required, an architect creates a design for the proposed changes and assists the clients in getting clearance from the concerned authorities to legalise the construction.
• Expansion: In this form of construction, a commercial architect is responsible to analyse the previous theme and design of the architecture and then come up with a design that compliments the design of the pre-existing design of the structure. The main task of an architect during this is to ensure that there is a sense of continuity and oneness within the pre-existing structure and the newly built building. Permits from the concerned authorities are a crucial step here as well and a commercial architect uses his experience and knowledge to assist the client.

Cost Of Hiring A Commercial Architect

The cost of commercial architects is different from that of residential architects as they have expertise in designing and overseeing the construction of residential buildings that include houses, apartments, and condominiums. Commercial architects cost somewhere around 2.5% to 12% of the overall cost of the building. This percentage is smaller than that of residential architects, this is because the commercial projects have a higher budget and the actual monetary value of the project increases.

The percentage of commercial architect fees is influenced by the actual value of the project. The higher the project value the less fee percentage charged.

The complexity of the design also influences the percentage charged by commercial architects. For example, the architect’s design of a warehouse is less complex and hence the percentage charged is lower as compared to the architectural design of a company headquarters, which focuses on being attractive and an architectural masterpiece.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Commercial Architect In India

Q:1 What is the cost of hiring a commercial architect?
A:1 Before hiring a commercial architect, you must ask about the estimated cost of hiring them for your project. This gives you an estimated cost of hiring the architect and helps to adjust your budget accordingly. You can further use this question to compare multiple different architects to get the best quote for your project.

Q:2 Do commercial architects have a portfolio to show?
A:2 Asking for a portfolio or the past works of the architect gives you an insight into the previous work and their experiences. This allows you to decide whether the commercial architect is suitable for the project you aim to build.

Q:3 Can commercial architects provide recent references?
A:3 References can be a great way to help you decide if an architect is a perfect fit for your project or not. This gives you a deeper insight into the past experiences that the clients have had with the architect. This helps in knowing whether the architect is suitable to work with per your project.

Q:4 Do commercial architects see any issues with the proposed project?
A:4 This helps you to know if the architect has any issues with the proposed project. This helps you to know if there are any problems that you may face during the execution of the project. This helps you to prepare for the problems beforehand to ensure a smooth project.

Conclusion

A commercial architect helps in making your project as per your needs with the help of their experience and their professional knowledge of the field. An architect-designed project helps to ensure that your project is cost-effective and efficient, which makes your commercial project fit for its defined purpose. This makes your property more effective, efficient and durable giving you higher returns on your investment.

Read Also: Top Tips For Hiring Architect And Different Types Of Architects