Editor’s Letter

Branko Miletic

According to one industry definition, “The primary goal of any commercial building is to optimise a business’ ability to turn a profit, taking into account factors that relate to each stakeholder group’s needs such as workflow process, aesthetics, comfort and physical space.”

Say construction firms like US-based Camm Constructions, when designing an office building, “many companies overlook the importance of quality commercial building design. Many of the world’s largest companies are making new investments in commercial building design because great workplaces are a key element in retaining their employees and bringing in new customers.

So, why exactly does quality matter so much when it comes to commercial building design? As many architects will tell you, from efficiency to sustainability, there are several reasons why commercial building design matters.

A recent US study found that workers in the 18-55 age range are 18% more productive when they work in a building with natural daylight while retail stores have achieved 15-40% higher sales under similar circumstances. When you design a building that accomplishes functional design elements, the people that inhabit that building every day will feel healthier, more awake, and be more productive.

Quality commercial building design is also a simple yet effective branding opportunity and positions a company to reflect its identity and personality. In fact, another study found that 76% of millennials feel strongly that commercial building design and aesthetic influences their overall impression of the company.

And let’s not forget about sustainable construction, once thought of as a “value-add” component in the commercial sphere, but times most certainly have changed, and so-called green or biophilic-heavy construction is now an integral part of many commercial building projects across the country.

In terms of trends, according to the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA), passive building design is still a hot trend because it has a huge impact on the overall performance of a building. Studying the sun path, says the BDAA, along with orienting the building accordingly can impact energy costs. Designers can utilise daylight, natural winds, and design windows, doors, and even the roof accordingly. Coupled with an ergonomic choice of materials and active design elements/technologies like glazed windows, the overall running costs and footprint of the building can be drastically reduced by 15-25%, says the BDAA.

Overall, commercial design in Australia is finally getting the respect it has always deserved both in terms of design and sustainability.

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