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Commercial Architecture - Structures That Mostly Mean Business
You probably have seen them several times in your lifetime, even experienced - and continue to experience - being inside of them. You probably be working in one right now! We’re talking about commercial architecture. Think of office buildings and shopping malls and schools. Would you believe a prison is considered a commercial building, too?
George EvansOct 10, 202220 Shares979 Views
When it comes to a place teeming with impressive commercial architecturenot far from each other, one good candidate is Singapore.
In Asia, the Lion City roars not only economically but also aesthetically.
The Marina Bay Sands not only spells out luxury. This 5-star hotel likewise reflects brilliant architectural works, with an infinity pool and the stunning CÉ LA VI restaurant at its rooftop.
Not far is the “blooming” ArtScience Museum - designed to capture the image of a white lotus. The country’s list of shopping malls also boast of their respective architectural feats.
They include the futuristic-looking ION Orchard, the magnificent Suntec City and its famous Fountain of Wealth, and the imposing Knightsbridge Mall.
Indeed, Singapore’s commercial architecture impresses people - residents and tourists alike.
ESCALIER: Rental office and commercial building in Tokyo, Japan [Architecture]
Commercial Architecture Definition
When one talks about commercial architecture, one talks about business. That’s how the Canadian architectural firm Ian Moxon Architect Inc.sees it.
Others would agree. It’s an architecture, according to the firm, that studies the types of business to attain the designs that will complement them.
It gives meaning to the term in this way:
“„Commercial Architecture is architecture focused specifically on the development of buildings and spaces that are used for commercial purposes.- Ian Moxon Architect Inc.
By commercial, it means that they are used for business, trading, marketing, and similar profit-oriented activities.
Still, when you get to the part discussing the types of commercial architecture, you will discover that not all buildings under this category exist to make profits.
Types Of Commercial Architecture
In partnership with Georgia Alliance of Preservation Commissions (GAPC), the Georgia Historic Preservation Division published something on the state’s types of commercial architecture.
When talking about types, according to the undated 41-page publication:
“„Type refers to the pattern of room layout, form and scale that identify a building as belonging to a common tradition that often does not exhibit a particular style.- Georgia Historic Preservation Division - Georgia Department of Natural Resources
In addition, when classifying the type of commercial architecture, one needs to consider “a building’s original form.” Any alteration or modification made after the construction of the building should be disregarded.
The publication also pointed out that though the type of buildings would depend on the era they were built, that would not always be the case.
In commercial architecture, types can come and go. A certain type that was common 50 years ago may no longer be in contemporary times. Still, such types may resurface again at any given time.
The Georgia Historic Preservation Division identified six commercial types found in the state:
- corner store
- community store
- multiple retail store
- office tower
- retail and office
- single retail
These types of commercial architecture are not exclusive to Georgia. Rather, they also exist across the U.S. and the world. They all just differ in style.
It is also important to remember that the details of a building - stairs, escalators, passageways, cubicles, units, etc. - make up the whole architecture. It is not only the façade or the overall outer structure.
Commercial Architecture Examples
In the U.S., from 1979 to 2018, the number of commercial buildings increased by 56 percent.
That’s according to the Center for Sustainable Systems of the University of Michigan. The center enumerated the following as some of the examples of commercial architecture:
- clinics and hospitals
- detention centers or jails
- libraries
- gymnasiums
- museums
- places of worship (e.g., churches, mosques)
- schools
- stores
- offices
- warehouses
People Ask
What Is The Difference Between Residential And Commercial Architecture?
Residential architectureconcerns building a place where people can live. Commercial architecture deals with places where people can do economic, leisure, and other activities.
Why Commercial Construction Is Better Than Residential?
Commercial tends to be better than residential primarily because the former must adhere to stricter building codes implemented by the local government.
What Do Commercial Architects Do?
They are the ones who handle commercial buildings, such as hotels and restaurants.
Final Thoughts
In general, structures under commercial architecture are constructed for activities meant to generate income.
Nevertheless, not all serve the purpose of generating income, with public libraries and prisons as examples.
As the world’s population steadily increases, commercial architecturewill continue to flourish and increase in the years to come.
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