North, Strong, and Built with Climate in Mind
When it comes to commercial building in Canada, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. The country’s diverse climate can pose challenges for commercial builders and commercial development companies. In the Okanagan we are familiar with working around intense summer heat and of course the burden of snowfall come winter.
With the right planning and construction techniques, we know what is possible to create buildings that are both functional and sustainable to address these environmental factors. Read on for some of the considerations we work around to build beautiful, inviting, and high-performing structures.
Insulation
Don’t catch a draft! One of the key factors to consider in commercial building construction is insulation. This is important in any climate but in Canada where temperatures range from subzero in the winter to scorching hot in the summer, proper insulation is essential to keep the building comfortable for occupants and to reduce energy consumption. This Insulation options such as spray foam, cellulose, and fiberglass can all be effective, but it’s important to choose the right type and thickness for the specific climate and building type. You can leave that to the experts though!
The Building Envelope
Another important consideration is the building’s envelope. In Canada, it’s common for commercial buildings to have large windows to let in natural light and to take advantage of views. However, these windows can also be a major source of heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. To mitigate this, commercial builders and commercial development companies can use high-performance glazing, shading devices, and other strategies to reduce heat transfer through the windows.
Building Orientation
North, West, South, East – which way do you face? Does it matter? Often we recommend positioning the building to take advantage of natural light and to minimize exposure to the sun’s rays during the hottest part of the day. This is also a great way to reduce energy consumption and improve the comfort of the building’s occupants. Street orientation should also be taken into consideration. Having entrances and exits that are accessible from parking lots or street access is integral to ensuring people can get in and out of your building without obstacles.
Building Material
Where is the balance between cost-effectiveness and durability? It is important to choose durable and low-maintenance materials for the building’s exterior. In Canada, commercial buildings are often exposed to harsh weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, strong winds, and extreme temperatures. By choosing materials that can withstand these conditions, commercial builders and commercial development companies can help to ensure the building’s longevity and reduce the need for costly repairs and maintenance.
Work with a Canadian Builder!
Commercial building construction in Canada can be challenging, but by working with a Canadian contractor who is used to building in the climate, the complexity can be eliminated! With the right planning and construction techniques, it’s possible to create functional and sustainable buildings that are able to withstand our country’s diverse climate.
Work with us today!
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Spaces Where People and Businesses Thrive
Commercial construction is a multi-faceted industry and each project always has unique needs and purposes. As commercial builders in Vernon, we understand the nuances of each project, and how safety is the main concern in both the build and operation of the finished product. There are a number of different industries which require value engineering to ensure the best, most cost-effective, and safe results. Take a look at some of the unique needs we work with for various industries.
Grocery and Retail
These commercial developments are often the types you see as stand-alone buildings or strip malls that line your neighbourhood. Grocery and retail spaces need to be built to withstand large traffic volumes and accommodate people and often an abundance of products. There is a great deal of forethought that goes into structural framing in terms of interior and exterior layout. It is important in the construction process, to plan for the access required by both consumers and transporters of goods.
Restaurants
Restaurants may be everyone’s favourite commercial establishments. Who doesn’t love splurging on a good meal? But before the kitchen is ready for use, builders like us, need to determine how the building will best serve patrons and the business. This includes being mindful of local regulations and requirements for buildings with large kitchens and specific safety protocols. Take-out food establishments also fall under this category, with special consideration for drive-thrus and specialized kitchen equipment.
Lodging
From the cozy motel you always drive past to resort-style buildings, lodging buildings require a facility that is equipped to make people comfortable. The larger scale of the building, the more builders need to keep this in mind. Typically in this kind of commercial building construction, we need to take into account the functionality of services like
- Fitness Centres
- Swimming Pools
- Retail Shopping
- Dining Areas
- Entertainment Venues
These projects can mimic building a city within a single building.
Office
This is where we work to ensure that your workspace is created to provide the most appropriate areas to host meetings, collaborate, and get down to business. The buildings can be standalone for one tenant or high-rise type structures that house multiple tenants. For the latter, it is especially important to build with safety in mind. High rises need to be built with fire escapes in case of emergencies. Other things we keep in mind are spaces to house servers that deliver high-speed internet connections and amenities like shared kitchens and parking.
Industrial
Often some of the more complex projects are very industry-specific commercial developments. These are typically buildings that are focused on manufacturing and processing. These facilities may require services like high-voltage, steam, and water to run refineries or plants. These buildings may also need the capacity to house robust safety equipment and stations or it may be necessary to factor in loading stations and docks into the design. A well-thought-through plan and building will result in timely, efficient, and safe delivery and shipment operations.
Healthcare
As you can probably imagine, medical facilities have very specific needs which involve the collaboration of many contractors. Construction could include low to high-rise buildings with specialized areas for patient care, housing, food service, offices, and supply rooms. Medical experts typically work with builders throughout the process to ensure the design creates ease in routing and storing a variety of medical equipment.
Athletic
Leisure and fitness center construction is integral to many communities. These are places where families, friends, and athletes come together to learn new skills, challenge themselves, and have fun! For this, many public amenities are required, and careful thought goes into the commercial development design. Some of the things that come top of mind are
- Washroom facilities
- Foodservice
- Arena seating
- Security and medical hubs
- Custodial storage
- Special communication requirements
This is accomplished through the collaboration of a large team of architects, designers, contractors, and project managers.
Get it done with the right help!
As you can tell, there are numerous types of facilities that have unique needs in order to serve the public, tenants, and customers effectively. There are many moving parts and considerations that need to be made in the design phases of each project. Commercial building construction is made easier by working with teams you can trust to ensure value is maximized at every step of the process.
If you’re embarking on a commercial construction project in Vernon, contact us today to learn about our process and start talking about your development. We are builders you can rely on!
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Determining the best possible commercial construction company can feel like a daunting task, many companies offer their services in this industry but not all may be the right fit for you. We recommend you consider the following 5 questions to ask when hiring a commercial construction company.
What Background Does The Company Have?
Commercial development companies can differ in their areas of expertise, specializations, and capabilities. Understanding what a commercial builder can offer is crucial information when considering if they are right for your project.
What Are Some Of Your Past Projects?
The project history of a commercial builder can provide invaluable insight into their strengths as a commercial developer as well as display their capabilities and the quality of their work. The right commercial builder for you should understand what you require and be capable of providing the results you need in a cost-effective and efficient manner. Often, not every commercial development company will be able to meet your needs. For instance, if a company specializes in building office space or renovating commercial tenants’ properties, they may not be the right choice to build your commercial warehouse.
What Would Be The Estimated Timelines?
A timeline is essential to the success of any commercial project. It aids in decision-making processes and enables appropriate delegation of tasks to ensure that the project remains on schedule and within the budget. Commercial construction companies that have dedicated employees for project management and a hands-on team that utilize the best technology will have the greatest chance of success in the implantation of a timeline.
What Is Your Safety Record?
Asking for a construction company’s safety record and inquiring about their safety standards is incredibly important because it reflects that company’s values and how much care and quality they put into their work. Commercial construction companies need to be very safety conscious and keep their teams up-to-date on safety courses and practices. This ensures no matter who is on-site, accidents won’t happen.
What Is Your Process?
Each construction company has its own process to complete their projects. Ask them about their process, find out if it aligns with your strategies, and decide if that process will work best for you. A process should outline building planning, an inspection of property, organizing, and designing the project. As well as organize the construction process and final touch-ups. A proper process of a construction project allows for the most efficient and effective completion of a commercial project.
Asking The Right Questions Will Guide You To The Right Commercial Construction For you.
We at Brentwell Construction encourage our commercial development partners to ask the important and sometimes difficult questions. Our history of commercial development reflects our team of professionals that are innovative and inspired to provide results that meet and exceed any project requirements or specifications on time and on budget. We understand that to have prosperous relationships with our clients we must be able to provide answers to these questions and any thoughts or concerns that come during the project process. Our company has a strong background in commercial construction, handling a wide variety of commercial properties from restaurants to offices. View some of our previous projects on our website.
If you have any questions or would like more information on any of the questions in this blog, feel free to contact us. If you would like to see more of our commercial projects and stay up to date with Brentwell Construction blogs visit our website.
Want to read more about our commercial construction? Check out these blogs:
- Design Trends For Commercial Builds
- 5 Reasons To Start Planning Your Commercial Construction Project Today
- How To Find The Right Commercial Construction Contractor For Your Business
- How To Plan A Seamless Commercial Construction Project
Commercial Spaces for the Future
There’s no doubt that building designs have required commercial builders to stay innovative with changing policies, trends and technology. At Brentwell we are dedicated to researching and staying on top of the latest and greatest trends that contribute to a space where people and businesses can thriv
This article will cover some of the design trends that are essential for Okanagan commercial construction.
Outdoor Space Configuration
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses switched from indoor operations to outdoor in order to accommodate business. This was especially evident in the restaurant industry as well as in other commercial construction buildings.
Business owners were able to creatively design commercial spaces with shared terraces and outdoor break areas.
This pivot in design focus, allows for businesses to maximize their services while staying within regulations. Besides commercial construction in Vernon has the opportunity to make the best of the beautiful weather conditions. It is no doubt that this will be a trend for commercial development in the area as COVID-19 continues to impact society.
Frameless Glass
If your business has already incorporated an outdoor space or is looking to do so, consider frameless glass as an option during the colder months. Frameless glass helps your space remain flexible and also enhances the square footage of your establishment. These frameless glass systems allow for the ambiance of an outdoor environment while being protected from the elements of Mother Nature.
Enhanced Air Filtration Systems
Over the last years it has become more important than ever to ensure your commercial development is coupled with good ventilation and filtration systems. Instead of systems that recirculate air, commercial builders are opting for systems which extract indoor air and filter in fresh outdoor air.
Eco-Friendly Options
There has been a push on commercial building construction to implement eco-friendly designs. At Brentwell we are passionate about adding high performing elements to our projects.. Some ideas to implement in your building are:
- Energy efficient LED lighting.
- Investing in water and energy efficient appliances
- Solar panel energy
- Energy efficient windows and doors
- Spray foam insulation
As more and more consumers realize the impacts of their actions on the environment, they will use their money to support businesses who share the same values. On top of this, the owners of these buildings will save money on utilities and see return on investment from incorporating these technologies. Read more about high-efficiency building in this blog.
Integrated Technologies
Commercial construction in Vernon offices and across the Okanagan will benefit immensely from incorporating integrated technology in their buildings. Having options such as teleconferencing screens, digital whiteboards, and app-accessible lighting systems have helped businesses stay nimble and save money on utilities. Working with clients and customers across the country means having channels that will optimize your communication. This is why commercial builders are starting to implement these into their design from the very start.
Conclusion
Living and working in an ever-changing world, it will be important to hire the right commercial builder who can design a building that will be future-proof. Incorporating trends that will improve your businesses performance while looking sleek and optimized for any environmental or regulatory condition is key to any commercial project.
If you are planning for commercial development in Vernon or the Okanagan area, Brentwell is ready to help with your project. As experienced professionals in commercial construction, we are here to support your business’ needs.
Contact us today! https://brentwellconstruction.com/contact/
Read about our approach to commercial construction here: https://brentwellconstruction.com/commercial/
The new “normal” looks different this year – in fact, things have been looking different for quite a while now. However, now that businesses are shifting to meet the demands of guidelines, it’s safe to say that a new way of how businesses function is upon us. Even in the beginning, businesses had to adapt to projects being halted, budgets being readjusted and workforces sent to work from home. While pre-pandemic activities roll back to usual, it’s a great time to set those commercial construction projects in motion (again).
If you are, however, looking for great reasons to motivate the unpausing of your previous commercial construction project or getting the encouragement to make that first step, then continue reading, because we have a lot to get into.
Let’s get started!
Take Advantage of The Season
As you can imagine, spring and summer are excellent times for construction. Within the Okanagan region, we get a wide variety of different weather patterns, which ultimately can hinder construction efforts. Ideally, commercial construction, in particular, Okanagan commercial construction, works best within spring. That way availability in key materials remains accessible, and favourable weather conditions are consistent for a few months.
At this point, you might be wondering why we are recommending planning your project now?
Well, exactly as we said – it’s important to plan. The fall and winter are excellent months to begin planning and getting development plans started.
Then come springtime, you are fully prepared and organized to start developing your commercial project.
It’s a safe bet to assume most projects have a window of 1-2 years for development and since construction is a multi-step process, it requires action now to finish development months down the line. As well, If plans stay consistent and all goes well, then your commercial builder can have development could end before the off-season next year – so be sure to plan to be prepared for the change in seasons!
Adapt to Change
As we mentioned before, the change in the past years has been substantial. One large aspect of this change comes with the mindset of business owners. Commercial development companies are seeing the demand in office spaces adapting in construction, and these changes can be broken down into four main groups.
Demand for private office spaces
For years the development of office spaces was designed for cost-effective, small grouped spaces. However, with the change of times, and the demand for space, layouts have really shifted. Traditional floor plans are becoming a new norm with closed, private rooms to prevent extended contact with people (HBR, 2021). Even with adapting guidelines, the demand for space still continues to rise!
Reduction in size of communal spaces
As mentioned about private office spaces, the reduction in communal spaces is all the more common. Commercial builders are seeing the functionality of open spaces in commercial buildings shifting to more closed-off areas, with smaller “touch” spaces. This is often seen with boardrooms, kitchens, and other meeting spaces for employees being reduced or adjusted based on the number of staff within an office (Make It, 2021).
Clean air circulation improvements
Due to the events of the virus over the past few years, there have been shifts in building design, in particular with dental offices, retail, restaurants, and medical practices. These building design changes focus on improved HVAC systems to enhance indoor air quality. Even more beneficial, with many businesses located within the Okanagan – commercial builders are utilizing better HVAC systems to filter out smoke from local forest fires.
Increase in outdoor environments
The rise of outdoor environments has shifted over the past few years. Businesses are now investing more into outdoor spaces for staff and customers to use. We can see this being described as “outdoor” workspaces, which are ever-growing in demand. Not only is this beneficial for providing employees with space but this also can boost morale with a team – now that’s an improvement!
Conclusion
It’s safe to say, be ready for the unexpected. This is why projects nowadays could take longer, and resources from commercial development companies might be harder to obtain. But that’s why we strongly encourage you to prepare as much as possible and get your commercial construction project started now.
If we encouraged you enough throughout this blog to get started, but you need more help finding the “how”, then check out our previous blog on a seamless commercial construction project here.
With times now adjusting, plan accordingly, and join a team that understands the difficulties in shifting demands. At Brentwell Construction, we are ready to help get your commercial project started. As commercial builders, we have the foresight to understand the process of development and help business owners grow or upgrade their commercial construction projects.
Contact us today to see how we can help!
References:
https://hbr.org/2014/10/workspaces-that-move-people
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/29/3-ways-the-office-will-change-after-the-pandemic.html
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