Stephanie Stefanovic

There has long been a stigma against modular (or prefab) building methods, especially in Australia. Despite modular construction’s ability to solve several problems — construction waste, rising cost of staff and materials, and weather-related delays, to name a few — many people have the misconception that prefab is synonymous with “low quality”.

Whether it’s the offices we work in, the stores we shop at or even the cafe we frequent each week, commercial spaces are where we tend to spend most of our time, second only to our own home. The factors that make a space “commercial” are many and varied, meaning everything from workplaces to hotels, restaurants and even sporting venues can be considered commercial.

Whether you’re working on a new build or renovating an existing residence, the kitchen is a room that can truly make or break a home. When designing a residential structure, there tends to be a lot of emphasis on form, materials, general aesthetic and (more recently) sustainability goals.

With each passing year, there are new innovations in sustainable architecture and design, using cutting-edge technologies and materials. What was once considered specialised and niche is quickly becoming an industry standard, bringing with it a plethora of new products to consider when specifying a build.

Lighting is often something the average person takes for granted, but as any architect or designer is aware, it makes a huge difference – often changing the entire mood of a room (and the people in it). For example, access to adequate natural lighting (or alternatively, circadian lighting) can help improve our mood and productivity, while also encouraging healthy sleeping patterns.

From offices to hotels, retail spaces, restaurants and even warehouses, there are countless examples of commercial spaces, which, while different in function, face the same key challenge in terms of bathroom design. Namely, designing bathrooms that can meet the hygiene needs of a high-traffic public space while maintaining a cohesive and contemporary design aesthetic.