Commercial construction isn’t limited to towering highrises or massive warehouses. A commercial construction project can be as small as a standalone fast-food restaurant or as complex as a hospital. The intended purpose of the facility will largely determine the project build category. Below is a breakdown of the eight most common commercial constructions and what makes them unique.
Restaurant Construction
There is much room for creativity and thoughtfulness in the design elements of restaurant construction. There are also many building, safety, and health codes to follow. Every detail needs careful planning to ensure the functionality and ambiance make sense. For example, the main dining area needs enough space for tables and guests to move from the front to the back safely.
Asides from a well-thought-out floor plan, it is important to incorporate safety, ADA standards, building and health code compliance within the design and final build.
These factors require deep knowledge of restaurant design and local building and health codes. The Division 9 Commercial Construction Inc. team specializes in new restaurant construction and ADA renovations for restaurants.
Medical Facility Construction
Medical facility construction includes building hospitals, laboratories, rehab facilities, research centers, clinician offices, and even veterinarian clinics. Like most commercial construction, medical facilities follow strict health and building codes and ADA commercial building requirements. Design plans must include ease of access to the building and different floors and doors that can accommodate wheelchairs and special set-up for medical equipment.
Medical facilities require a lot of electrical work to power the building. The power supply must be strong and requires emergency backup to keep operations running in the event of an emergency. Additional planning is important to ensure all electrical and duct work maintains a clean environment. Hospitals often undergo upgrades to improve the facility and technology. This means design plans should accommodate retrofitting equipment and room use.
Hotels & Hospitality Construction
Hotel and hospitality construction follow similar standards and designs to housing projects but at a scaled level. Much thought goes into the design of hotels, motels, and lodging. Not every room is the same. Rooms can vary from standard bedrooms and bathrooms to luxurious villas featuring high-end finishes, dining rooms, kitchens, and sometimes multiple levels. Hotels often include amenities like restaurants, gyms, conference rooms, and pools. These amenities must comply with their respective codes and design and those of the main facility.
These facilities also require high-level fire safety, plumbing, and electrical design. It is common for hotels to source their power from dedicated power plants. Due to the project’s complexity, experienced commercial contractors can best design and execute the build.
Office Building Construction
Office buildings can range from a small, open floor plan to a massive skyscraper. Offices used to be a place for working and not much else. Nowadays, office buildings include restaurants, fitness facilities, daycares, and common rooms for entertaining. These amenities add to the design and build requirements of the project.
Office buildings usually include specialized IT and AV design. Planning for additional internet, electrical, and utility use is important to the functionality of the space. The design team will plan these considerations during the pre-construction phase.
Retail Construction: Grocery, Shopping, and Stores
Retail construction can range in size from small storefronts to massive multi-level shopping malls. These builds must meet the standard regulations of commercial construction (zoning, permits, etc.) while creating an efficient space for consumers. Special consideration in planning and development may also include following specific guidelines for chain stores and franchises.
When developing within the retail sector, the end goal is for the build to have an attractive and efficient layout. Customers need to be able to move around easily within the space. Often, a retail business will request a store renovation to help improve the functionality and flow of the space.
Sports Facility Construction
Construction and athletic facilities include sports facilities, gymnasiums, and fitness centers. While these buildings may look simple, they can be quite complex in design. Many professional sports arenas may serve multi-sport and event purposes aiding in the project’s complexity. Sports facilities, in particular, need to accommodate seating that gives fans unobstructed views, access to the amenities, and enough power for high-level audiovisuals. These types of builds can take several years to complete.
Safety is also a major concern with the building of sports and athletic facilities. For fitness centers, room size and layout need careful planning for equipment utilization. With larger projects, additional safety measures include separation from the field and fans, safe entry and exit points, and more.
Institutional Facilities Construction
Schools, colleges, research facilities, libraries, and learning centers fall under the institutional facilities category. No one build or remodel is the same, especially when remodeling older schools and universities. However, they share common design and planning elements such as the high use of audiovisuals, heavy foot traffic, safety, and adaptability needs. Most all institutional facilities need a purposeful design layout to include classrooms, main and staff offices, food services, and sports facilities. Colleges and universities may also have living accommodations and sports arenas that add to the project scope.
Industrial Buildings & Structures Construction
Industrial buildings are large-scale builds that can require the use of large and special materials. The building’s intended purpose, whether it be for manufacturing, logistics, factory, or warehouse, will determine the design and processes needed to carry out the project. Many buildings need accommodations for large materials, shipping and loading docks, and offices. They also have different standards than typical builds, such as ceiling height and other building codes.
Division 9 Commercial Construction Inc. specializes in commercial construction services. Contact our team if you need construction or design services for any of the projects mentioned above. Remember to ask how we can ensure your project is ADA-compliant.