28
Apr

The Impact of Site Analysis on Commercial Building Designs

Are you looking for a location for your new or growing business? Many factors must be considered when determining the design of a commercial build. Having a skilled architect on your team during the commercial real estate site analysis and selection phase can be a game-changer and could save you time and money in the long run.

Your architect will extensively research the property of interest to see how the lot could support your business’s needs from a functional and legal perspective. At Robertson Architecture, we focus on commercial and residential design, so we know the nuances of site analysis and how to work with our clients to ensure a property is the right fit for their business.

Why is site analysis important?

Integrating the vision for your business, the law, and the lot is a huge part of architectural site analysis. The architect’s job is to see how these elements work together to create a cohesion of functionality and design within space constraints, zoning laws, and other factors.

Conducting a site analysis before you build is always a crucial step of the architectural design process. When it comes to commercial buildings, site analysis accounts for a different set of circumstances than residential buildings.

If you’re building a restaurant space, you want to be sure you can legally have a commercial kitchen on the property and that you are in an area with a lot of foot traffic. An office needs a certain amount of parking for employees. These are all considerations your architect will take into account during the site analysis process by understanding the capabilities of the lot.

What’s an architect looking for during the site analysis stage?

Utilities – During the site analysis, your architect will examine the lot to determine whether the property has access to electricity, water, sewage, gas, and other essentials for running a business. This is typically conducted by reviewing the latest site survey or public records.

Zoning – The property you select must be zoned for commercial or mixed-use. Additionally, the type of commercial space, such as a restaurant, retail space, or office space, must align with the zoning regulations. If the land is zoned as residential, you’ll need to petition to have the lot rezoned or find a different location for your business.

Market Analysis – Your architect will conduct a market analysis of the site to showcase the possibilities the property offers your business. This includes noting public transportation in the area, walkability, demographics, neighboring/competitive businesses, and more.

Accessibility – Another key aspect of commercial site analysis is ensuring the space is accessible to employees and customers. For example, your architect will determine how to incorporate emergency exits and ADA compliance into the site analysis diagram.

Site Topography – A site’s topography is a key factor in determining if a potential lot can support your business. Your architect will look at the site survey, building elevations, and other geographical details to see what the site’s building possibilities are.

Environmental/Sustainability – Related to the site’s geography are the ecological factors that affect the lot. Could the property be affected by contamination or noise pollution? Is there a risk of hurricanes or tornadoes in the area? You’ll want to know about these factors before you build. Also, sustainable architectural practices are more important than ever, and your architect will use the site analysis to determine opportunities to include sustainable design and materials in the project.

Establishing the pros and cons of a site

Another part of site analysis is examining the property’s strengths and weaknesses, as everything has pros and cons. Maybe one lot allows you to build a larger footprint, but it’s not in as populated of an area, so you won’t have as much foot traffic. In another neighborhood, the population may be dense, but the lot is much smaller. These are items that your architect will include in the site analysis. Site analysis is so much more than a sketch of the potential property.

It is part of your business plan and showcases how you can optimize your location to allow your business to reach new heights.

Are you ready to select a site for your commercial build? Send us a message today!

The earlier you bring on an architect for your commercial build, the better. Site analysis sets up your project for success before due diligence is complete. The impact of site analysis on commercial building designs can’t be overstated.

Give Robertson Architecture a call or email us today to discuss starting the architectural design process for your commercial build in Atlanta or Destin!

Author:  David Robertson is an Atlanta based architect and founder of Robertson Architecture.  Robertson Architecture on the premise of helping entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals exceed their goals.

In 2018, Robertson Architecture was formed with the single focus of helping homeowners and entrepreneurs exceed their goals. The firm works with custom residential homes, townhouses, restaurants, and hotels all across the Southeast. David has a passion for helping entrepreneurs and homeowners realize their dreams.

With over 10 years of experience, David spent the beginning part of his career working on small to medium sized commercial projects across the U.S., including hospitality projects, office buildings, multi-family, and custom homes.

 

David Robertson founder of Robertson Architecture