Commercial Design Process
Commercial design, meaning anything covered by the Minimum Building Code of your state, requires the seal of licensed professional in order to receive a building permit. Many architects and engineers can design a building "to code." The art of the architect, in our view, describes the overall synthesis of the unique client vision, the requirements of code, beauty, budget, constructability, and the ability to work with the builder and provide solutions during construction.
Every commercial project in our studio begins with an in-depth code analysis. Changing a design becomes more difficult as a project progresses from general outline to specific details. Knowing which codes will affect the project prior to beginning to design builds a strong, reliable foundation for the work to come.
Building Type & Occupancy
Did you know that the Minimum Building Code has very specific requirements for allowable square footage, height, and number of stories allowable depending on the use of the building, the building's materials, and whether the building has a fire sprinkler system? For example, an apartment building in Georgia can only be 2 stories if built from wood. The allowable stories increase to 3 if you add fire sprinklers. The allowable stories increase again to 5 if you add sprinklers and use fire-retardant wood for the exterior walls. Each of these changes have associated costs. Patch can help you determine the best code compliant building for your specific project and budget.