Top Tips When Drafting Commercial Buildings
Drafting commercial buildings can be a nerve-wracking experience. More often than not, clients will have unique specifications that may be difficult to implement. Below are some useful tips to guide you when drafting commercial buildings.
Understand The Law
The local council will not approve construction plans if they flout the law. Some of your concerns should include:
- When buying land with a company or strata title, check whether the company or owners association has pre-approved designs.
- Zoning regulations may compel you to use a specific roof or fence. Besides, they may prohibit certain landscape installations.
- The local building code may impel you to use a particular foundation. Moreover, the code may determine the height of the building and the quality of structural features.
Conduct A Site Inspection
A site inspection will help you identify the slope of the land. It determines a proper building orientation and whether the client will need to conduct earthmoving works. Conduct a soil test to know whether the soil structure can support the weight of the building. If the foundation sits on a rock bed, it will need damp proofing and waterproofing. It also requires a drainage system to channel groundwater away from the foundation. If the soil has a high concentration of salt, the foundation must have a damp-proof course.
Allocate Amenities
Below are some amenities that can make the commercial building attractive to prospective clients:
- Allocate retail space on the lower floors. Shops, restaurants, and pubs will serve the tenants on the upper floors.
- Most clients would want open office space. As such, do not subdivide office space, allow clients to customise the areas to suit their needs.
- The building should have sufficient washrooms. Additionally, allocate washrooms for the disabled.
- The staircase, hallways and elevators must be spacious. Remember, your clients may have bulky furniture and office appliances that cannot be dismantled.
- The building should have sufficient parking space. If it located on a busy street, underground parking is an ideal option.
Safety Standards
Most clients will want to know about the building's safety standards. As such, investigate whether the region is susceptible to natural hazards. For instance, if the area is prone to bush fires, you could opt use fire-resistant building materials during construction. If the area is prone to storms, the building's shape should deflect the wind. Besides, the walls should be rigid enough to withstand the impact of debris from surrounding homes. The structure should also have sufficient exits, fire response equipment, security systems and a fire assembly point.
When drafting commercial buildings, understand the law, conduct a site inspection, allocate amenities and integrate the recommended safety standards.
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