Limited Space, Limitless Design: Commercial Buildings with Constraints

Architects use imagination, artistic skills, and engineering expertise to design structures with form and function. But commercial building design rarely starts with a blank canvas. Instead, clients are often looking to expand a current facility or integrate a new building with an existing one.

The type of building you choose can limit the possibilities–or it can enhance your design abilities. Limitations can actually make the project more enjoyable and ensure clients get maximum value from your efforts.

Space limitations are common. Legacy’s buildings allow you to design without sacrificing features or functionality. We are definitely not one-size-fits-all.

Typical Space Challenges 

• Desired footprint: Customers want the largest possible building, to accommodate maximum workspace and storage, but the site itself–or their budget–can limit the possibilities.
• Site conditions: The property may not be large enough, or it may have an irregular shape or drainage issues that make it difficult to accommodate the desired building.
• Zoning: Local building codes, zoning, and other regulations dictate usage, structural dimensions, setbacks, and many other commercial building design details. 
• Existing infrastructure: Other buildings or utilities may already be in place. Bulk storage and other distribution facilities are often located near transportation hubs, such as waterways and rail lines. These factors can affect structure design, size, and any configurations for workflow and transitioning products. Architects also must design around moving parts, such as trucks or human traffic.
• Environmental issues: There may be rules or regulations that protect land, waterways, or wildlife. Noise and air pollution standards are also common. The environment itself may be a factor, especially if the building will have to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh weather (such as hurricanes, hail, heavy snow loads, or salty marine conditions). 

Architects Appreciate Design Flexibility

Traditional, pre-defined structure design may stifle architectural creativity by limiting material choices. A customized tension fabric building design approach from Legacy offers unparalleled flexibility for an architect’s creative desires:

• Custom footprints and geometries for each project, utilizing rigid steel framing systems that allow architects to choose from various wall facades–from traditional brick and mortar to our proprietary ExxoTecTM fabric cladding, and anything in-between.
• Rigid steel systems designed to support significant hanging loads (including elements like conveyors, catwalks, and scoreboards) while maintaining valuable floor space. 
• Architects can achieve clear-spans of 300 feet or more, providing greater design freedom, particularly for applications requiring tall racking systems or large equipment.

This range of options ensures architects can precisely match building specifications to their clients' functional needs while maintaining design creativity and integrity.

Sustainability

Sustainable building design is increasingly important and desirable. Often, this includes using more efficient and environmentally-friendly materials. Long-term, owners want a building that will last for many years–with the least maintenance effort and cost. Legacy supports sustainable design with:

• An R30-insulated system and superior air infiltration enhance thermal performance, reducing heating and cooling needs. This helps maintain consistent indoor temperatures.
• Bright interior liners and translucent uninsulated options, which minimize the need for artificial lighting. This reduces electricity consumption and provides a more naturally lit, comfortable environment for occupants.
• Reflective PVC fabric, which reduces heat loads and decreases energy consumption for cooling. By mitigating heat absorption, the structure can perform better in warmer climates.

• A lower-maintenance roof system compared to other construction methods, which can reduce the need for repairs or replacements, lower operational disruptions, and minimize waste.
• Corrosion protection to extend the building's lifespan and enhance durability in challenging environments. These features help for industries with common exposure to harsh chemicals or weather.

• A 25-year roof warranty to protect the owner’s financial investment and decrease environmental impacts from frequent material replacements.

Our design approach focuses on long-term performance, making it an attractive option for architects prioritizing both sustainability and cost efficiency.

Custom Design Starts with Collaboration

You may not need as much space as you think to achieve project goals. The true test of successful structure design is functionality. So, no matter the industry or type of commercial building, the first question should always be how will the building be used?

Legacy works with every client to understand usage needs and site conditions, and then suggest solutions to accommodate those needs. Let’s look at a couple of examples.

Bulk Commodity Storage

Our bulk storage customers often assume they need a specific square footage figure to store tons of product. However, architects (and our Legacy design engineers) think of space as three-dimensional, not just square footage.

• To design for bulk commodity storage, we need to know how the product will enter and leave the building and how it will be when stored inside. Designing around the material for optimal workflow can often reduce the amount of space needed. In addition, loose products need bunker walls to keep them corralled, so by raising the wall height, more products can be stored on the same footprint.

Sports Centers

While sports center applications may differ from bulk storage, usage is still the fundamental question. Local zoning and building codes will affect the design, and there may also be sport-related requirements that affect interior space needs. 

• For example, U.S. Tennis Association guidelines define setbacks that must separate courts from spectators. Or, if you need locker space or other non-play areas at your sports complex, it may be more cost-effective to design two adjoined spaces.

Don’t Let Space Restrictions Cramp Your Style

Every new project brings its own unique set of challenges. Since every structure Legacy manufactures is entirely custom-built, we’re used to working closely with owners and their design teams, internal and/or external, to create a commercial building design that looks great and performs as expected or even better, cost-effectively, for years to come.

If you’re just starting to lay out your design for a commercial building, reach out to our team. We’re happy to help with your design and building needs.