Commercial architects are in charge of creating and overseeing a structure’s design. It is the responsibility of the architect to plan and draft potential projects. He or she may also construct a scale model and supervise or manage the construction process. Of course, this will necessitate the architect’s close collaboration with his or her clients. Commercial architects are responsible for estimating costs and staying on budget, as well as ensuring the structural soundness of the building and ensuring that the structure has all of the necessary permits and is up to code.
A commercial architect can specialize in one type of building or design as a licensed professional. Those architects who work for an architectural firm, on the other hand, may be part of a team that manages a variety of projects. Commercial architects typically focus on structures other than single-family residences, such as shopping centers, business complexes, hospitals, schools, or museums, in contrast to residential architects.
When designing a structure, especially a commercial one, the architect must take into account a variety of factors. He or she may be in charge of creating a series of construction blueprints in addition to drafting design plans and building scale models. All of the layers of construction, including the electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing, and ventilation systems, will need to be considered in these blueprints. The architect will also be responsible for complying with applicable building codes, including disabled access, depending on the regulations that apply to the jurisdiction in which the structure is being built. Typically, the architect will have input and control over design elements from start to finish, with the exception of when the interior designer takes over.
In addition to being able to design commercial structures, successful commercial architects usually have a diverse set of skills. They must be excellent communicators, as bringing such complex projects to completion necessitates the collaboration of a number of specialists. Architects must also be able to supervise and manage contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction process. Decision-making, problem-solving, developing team leadership, and keeping his creativity stoked, as well as continuing to learn, are all part of his skill set.
A commercial architect can also work on a variety of other projects. He or she might begin earlier, in the pre-design phase, rather than during the design phase. During this phase, the architect may assist in the selection of a suitable site, as well as the preparation of an environmental and feasibility analysis, which includes square footage costs and per person spatial requirements. He could then prepare and present his findings to the client for approval and review. A commercial architect may also assist a client in selecting contractors who will carry out the actual construction of the structure, as well as negotiating contracts.
A commercial architect’s experience and education requirements vary country and field. A commercial architect is typically a well-educated professional with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or building design. Hand-drawn designs have largely fallen out of favor as a result of the widespread use of computers, and the modern commercial architect is typically proficient with computer-aided design and drafting software (CADD) and knows how to use Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to create design plans, specifications, and blueprints.