Why Selecting a Site for a Commercial Build is Really a Design Decision

Location, location, location. You hear that catchphrase a lot in real estate, but in a different sense, it also applies to commercial architecture. 

A good architect knows that building plans never exist in a vacuum. Whether for a restaurant, healthcare facility, retail location, or multi-family housing, effective commercial architecture is always contextual: it must fit the unique needs of your project’s specific site. 

That’s why, whether you realize it or not, choosing the right site is really the first design decision you make on any commercial project. 

For more on this, here’s a look at the GAE Architecture + Design team’s perspective on how major site factors can influence your project’s design, timeline, budget, and long-term success…

5 Site Characteristics Influencing Commercial Architecture & Design

Long before your building takes shape, many factors baked into the land itself set the boundaries a design has to work within.

#1 – Topography & Site Conditions

As you walk through potential sites for your commercial build, one of the biggest factors to consider is quite literally the ground you stand on. You’ll want expert help to evaluate features like: 

• Slope: will the site need extensive leveling or grading before construction can begin? 
• Drainage: do conditions require any special drainage systems? 
• Soil: does testing indicate the soil quality is suitable for construction?

Each of these variables could affect your design layout, the foundation, and site preparation costs. Sites with more slope or poor drainage, for example, may require more prep before construction, potentially extending your timeline and costs.

#2 – Access & Circulation

Another huge factor in site selection and, ultimately, design is how end users will reach your building. For example, what will traffic flow look like at the site, and how much space will you need for parking? Evaluate (preferably with the help of a trusted architectural partner) how issues like these may shape the site plan: 

• Vehicular access, including connecting to existing roads/drives
• Pedestrian access, especially in more densely-populated, urban areas
• Parking, whether it’s a shared or private lot
• ADA accessibility

#3 – Utilities & Infrastructure

Consider: where are the access points to existing infrastructure? Enlist professional help to determine water, sewer, power, and stormwater availability and to estimate your cost in connecting to those utilities. 

Taking these factors into account will help you assess the feasibility of a particular site, decide whether it fits your budget, and/or set a realistic budget moving forward on the project. 

#4 – Zoning & Entitlements

You might think this would go without saying, but it’s too essential to take for granted: to fully evaluate a particular site, you must understand any regulations governing its use. 

You’ll need to find out:

• Is it zoned for the type of construction you’re planning? 
• What are its allowable uses? 
• What are the regulations regarding setbacks (how far a building must be from the property line)?
• What are the height limits at the site? 
• How long is the entitlement/approval process likely to take? 

Answers to questions like these play a major role in design development, even before a single architectural plan has been drawn. 

#5 – Surrounding Development & Context

Finally, a particular site’s surroundings should also play a major role in your selection. (They will certainly play a role in the end design.)

Does a prospective site allow room for future growth, if needed? Plus, take a look at the neighboring buildings to help determine the community fit of your commercial project. Ultimately, the surroundings may influence the architecture and design of your finished property. 

Your Architecture & Design Partner Will Help Select the Right Site

Because all these site factors can significantly affect your end design, it’s a great idea to choose an architecture and design partner like GAE Architecture + Design who can advise you during the site selection process. The earlier a design team weighs in on a site, the better the outcome, since you’ll have insight into how a potential site’s features may drive or limit design plans. 

If you’re already locked into a particular site before procuring a design firm, that’s okay, too! Find a partner with a proven track record of designing buildings on a variety of site types. Above all else, you’ll want a firm that understands your industry and is equipped to bring your project to life within the parameters of the site you’ve chosen. 

With an extensive portfolio including industries like healthcare, retail, hospitality, multi-family, and more, our Knoxville-based team at GAE is ready to serve as your trusted guide every step of the way. We work with clients here in East Tennessee, as well as businesses across the nation. 

When you’re ready, give us a call at (865) 602-7771 or reach out online. We’d love to help move your project forward!