The term commercial is generally applied to business-related activities or events where profit is the primary goal. It can also be applied to products or services used by businesses.
A commercial building is a structure whose primary purpose is to be used for commercial activities. The best way to spot a commercial building is to look for one that can accommodate a large number of people and offers a variety of public services.
Due to the differences in their intended uses, commercial and residential buildings differ slightly from one another. However, by the end of this article, you will have learned a lot about different types of commercial buildings.
Types of Commercial Buildings
Commercial buildings are increasing in number as new businesses emerge year after year. There are various types of commercial buildings in every part of the world. There are seven main categories into which these various types of commercial building types can be divided.
- Office Buildings
- Retail Buildings
- Hospitality Buildings
- Medical Buildings
- Industrial Buildings
- Educational Buildings
- Recreational buildings
Office Building
Everyone is familiar with office buildings, and some of you may even work in one of them. Office buildings are common commercial structures that can be found in cities.
The primary function of office buildings is to provide a pleasant working environment for any type of business, organization or agency. Depending on the business structure, the buildings can be rented or owned.
Office buildings can be small and suitable for local businesses, or they can be large skyscrapers for multinational corporations.
You may also come across skyscraper office building with different businesses or agencies working on each floor. These buildings are typically rented to various small businesses, who are given the entire floor to work in. IT and software companies are two common examples of office buildings.
Retail Building
Like office buildings, almost everyone understands what a retail building is. In general, retail buildings are those that sell products or services related to individuals directly to people/consumers. These structures are designed differently than other structures.
Because the primary goal is to sell the product, the building is designed to provide a functional and appealing environment for customers. Small compartments are created in the buildings so that the majority of the space can be used to showcase various products.
Department stores, shopping malls, strip malls, super markets, grocery stores, brand stores, pop-up shops, and so on are examples of retail buildings.
Hospitality Building
Hospitality buildings are commercial structures that provide lodging and food for travelers or visitors from different regions. Hotels, motels, resorts, pubs and clubs, and hostels are all examples of hospitality buildings. These structures play an important role in the country’s tourism industry.
The main goal of these building is to provide a comfortable home-like atmosphere for those who stay in them.
There may be hotels that only provide food, while others may provide both food and lodging for tourists. There are also five-star hotels that offer a variety of services to tourists all in one location.
Healthcare Building
Healthcare buildings, also known as medical buildings, are those that provide various types of medical services to people. These are also referred to as hospitals where people’s illnesses are treated.
These structures are classified into several types, including small clinics, hospitals, and multi-specialty hospitals. Nowadays, there are also animal-only medical facilities where various types of pets and rescued wildlife species are treated.
Educational Building
In today’s competitive world, education has become a basic human need. Educational buildings are places where people can gain knowledge and skills in a variety of fields.
The primary goal of these structures is to provide learning, teaching, and various academic activities for all groups of people.
Educational buildings include schools, colleges, universities, institutes, research centers, libraries, nursery schools and so on.
Industrial Building
Industrial buildings are where things from small needles to large cars and trucks are manufactured. Industrial buildings are built for a variety of industrial purposes, including manufacturing, production, and warehousing.
These buildings are generally located far away from residential areas because they may produce loud noises 24 hours a day, seven days a week due to the presence of large and heavy machinery.
Highways are one of the reasons these buildings are located outside of the city, as large container trucks are required for transportation of raw materials and finished goods or products, and these trucks cannot operate on small city roads.
Recreational Building
Recreational buildings are commercial structures that provide space for leisure and entertainment services or that conduct recreational activities.
These include theatres, museums, amusement parks, sports facilities or academies, indoor and outdoor stadiums, private clubs, etc.
The primary goal of these structures is to provide space for people to spend their free time. It offers a diverse range of interests and pursuits that allow people to unwind and socialize or to explore and master their hobby.
Examples of Commercial Buildings
Commercial structures can be found all over the world. Some of the most well-known commercial buildings in the world are listed below.
The Burj Khalifa
The Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest skyscraper, located in Dubai, UAE. This structure is a mix-use commercial building because it provides space for a variety of industries, including healthcare, residential, retail, office, hospitality, etc.
Harvard University
Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the United States. It is an educational building that provides educational courses in a variety of fields. It is the world’s most prestigious educational institute, and many people aspire to study there.
Taj Hotel
Located in Mumbai, India, the Taj Hotel is one of the world’s largest and most iconic luxury hotels, known for its architectural and historical significance. It provides luxurious accommodations as well as world-class hospitality services.
Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, located in Sydney, Australia, is one of the world’s most beautiful architectural wonders. This commercial structure is classified as a recreational structure. It is a well-known performing arts center that hosts a wide range of cultural events. It showcases talented artists from around the world, attracting audiences of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building in New York City is the best example of an office building. With 102 floors, this is one of the tallest office buildings. Many well-known companies, including LinkedIn and Shutterstock, have offices in this building.
Also Read : Classification of Roads in India
Also Read : Basic Components of Building Structure