What is a commercial architecture designer? To put it simply, you'll be responsible for dealing with the projects you're assigned, involving the creation of a building for commercial use: a department store, for example, or a premises.
Designing spaces to optimise commercial activity (sales area, flow, reception) for the benefit of users, whether for small shops, restaurants or shopping centres, is the role of the commercial architecture designer.
A long title for an exciting and highly sought-after profession.
The role of the commercial architecture designer
The commercial architecture designer is involved in the design of the space, its layout or its renovation.
It’s up to them to respond to the needs expressed by their clients, and to help them adapt the specifications to the needs of the projects.
They must provide coherence and relevance in all areas of commercial architecture.
The commercial architecture designer is a professional in the organisation of space.
They can be involved in the early stages of a commercial project, or contribute their expertise along the way to overcome a specific problem. They must not lose sight of the primary purpose of commercial structures, which is to sell their products or services, while taking account of traffic flows and safety issues.
Skills and qualities
Mastery of space planning design techniques, needs analysis, site surveys, work methodology, mastery of drawing, perspective, atmospheric rendering (colours, lighting, materials), analysing and understanding a customer request, whether an individual or a professional, mastery of IT tools: computer graphics and 3D, architectural previews and modelling, etc. The commercial architecture designer has to adapt to a wide range of parameters.
The Space Design BTS, offered by ESMA in Montpellier, is a two-year course during which students learn to design and fit out interior and exterior living spaces, both private and public.
The course is open to students who have completed a MANAA, a Prépa Design or a Bac en arts appliqués (STD2A), subject to examination of their application and after an interview and tests
Career and career opportunities
The profession is very much in the air at the moment!
Training in space design enables graduates to work in architects’ practices, specialist agencies, design offices, as employees or freelancers, or even to continue their studies after ESMA’s BTS in Space Design by enrolling in a school of architecture or interior design.
