4 Favorite Types of Commercial Spaces to Design and Why
Commercial design is a dynamic field with endless possibilities for creativity and innovation. This article delves into the favorite types of commercial spaces that designers love to work on, from luxurious med spas to high-end retail experiences in Boston. Drawing on insights from industry experts, readers will discover the unique challenges and rewards of designing mixed-use spaces, functional showrooms, and other commercial environments that shape our daily lives.
- Creating Luxurious Med Spas
- Designing Mixed-Use Spaces for Community Engagement
- Crafting High-End Retail Experiences in Boston
- Building Functional Flooring Showrooms
Creating Luxurious Med Spas
I've had the most fun designing med spas, hands down. These spaces offer the perfect balance of creative freedom and functionality, serving clients who seek a moment of calm and luxury, as well as the team members who spend long hours delivering that experience. I love creating environments that feel indulgent while functioning efficiently behind the scenes.
One of my favorite projects was a med spa in Sugar Land, TX, called Forever Young. The client wanted a space that felt elevated yet not sterile, a place that immediately evoked a sense of self-care the moment someone walked in. More than just aesthetics, they needed a design that would support relaxation, enhance productivity, and foster pride among their staff.
One of the biggest challenges was reconciling the clinical functionality with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. For example, we had to ensure that treatment rooms remained highly sanitary while still feeling inviting. To achieve this, we used easy-to-clean finishes with soft textures, customized lighting for flexibility, and incorporated sound insulation to maintain a serene mood even during busy hours.
Design-wise, we intentionally broke away from the expected all-white palette that dominates many medical environments. We used rich emerald greens and black paired with soft gold accents to create a confident yet calming tone. We mapped out spatial flow to ensure seamless transitions between reception, waiting, and treatment zones, maintaining privacy where needed, and keeping the energy cohesive and intuitive. We also integrated wellness-focused details, such as biophilic accents, custom scent diffusion, ambient dimmable lighting, and curated playlists to evoke a full-sensory experience.
The feedback was phenomenal! Within weeks of reopening, the spa saw a noticeable increase in foot traffic, and their social media engagement surged, with clients frequently posting about the "luxury hotel vibe" of the space. Most importantly, staff morale skyrocketed. One employee told the owner, "I feel like I'm coming to work in a place that finally reflects the care we give."
What made this project so rewarding was that I didn't have to choose between form or function. I led with aesthetics, purpose, and brand storytelling because with thoughtful design, you should never have to choose just one.
Designing Mixed-Use Spaces for Community Engagement
Designing Mixed-Use Spaces That Inspire Community: My Favorite Commercial Project Type
As a landscape architect, my passion lies in shaping spaces that bring people together—where function, beauty, and community spirit intersect. Of all the project types I've worked on, mixed-use commercial spaces are my favorite. They challenge me to blend architecture, landscape, and urban rhythm into a cohesive, people-centric environment. At the heart of these projects is a singular goal: to create a walkable, welcoming destination where families and friends can spend the day together—shopping, dining, relaxing, and enjoying life.
These are the key design strategies I find most enjoyable and essential in this typology:
Safe Pedestrian Circulation: Walkability is paramount. Thoughtfully planned routes must prioritize pedestrian safety while also being intuitive and enjoyable to navigate. I love creating networks that invite exploration while minimizing vehicular conflicts through traffic-calming design, shared surfaces, and lush buffers.
Seating Nodes & Gathering Spaces: Seating is not just about rest—it's about community. I focus on layered social spaces that encourage everything from casual meetups to spontaneous play. Whether it's a shaded bench near a fountain or a plaza lined with café tables, every seat tells a story.
Flexible Event & Activity Venues: Programming is the soul of a mixed-use destination. Designing adaptable open spaces for farmers markets, yoga classes, or evening concerts adds seasonal rhythm and spontaneity. These flexible zones become the heartbeat of the development.
Project Spotlight: Mixed-Use Development, Daytona Beach
A perfect example of these principles in action is a Mixed-Use project currently under development in Daytona Beach, Florida—a dynamic mixed-use village designed to be more than a shopping center; it's a full-day destination.
What makes this Village stand out is its balance—it's a space that feels curated yet organic, lively yet relaxed. It's not just about retail or aesthetics; it's about creating moments—shared meals, community events, spontaneous street performances—that turn a commercial space into a community anchor.
Designing mixed-use spaces like this is where my creativity and passion thrive. These places aren't just functional—they're meaningful. They bring people together, create memories, and reflect the spirit of their community. And as a landscape architect, there's no greater reward than that.
Crafting High-End Retail Experiences in Boston
I find designing boutique commercial spaces, particularly high-end retail, the most rewarding. These projects allow me to blend sophistication with functionality, creating environments that elevate a brand's identity while inviting community engagement. The challenge of balancing aesthetic appeal with practical use, especially in historic areas like Beacon Hill or Back Bay, fuels my creativity. Key design elements like open layouts, natural light, and custom finishes resonate with me because they transform spaces into experiences that connect people to the city's unique character.
My passion for this work stems from my journey moving from Lebanon to Boston twelve years ago, where I saw how well-designed spaces could bridge cultural heritage with modern luxury. When you want a retail space that feels timeless yet current, you'll find that thoughtful design, high ceilings, reclaimed wood accents, or locally inspired art creates a narrative that draws customers in. These elements reflect Boston's blend of history and innovation, making each project feel personal and purposeful.
One specific project that stands out is a boutique retail space I developed in Cambridge's Harvard Square. The client, a high-end artisanal chocolatier, needed a store that felt intimate yet luxurious to showcase their craft. We faced the challenge of working within a historic building's strict zoning regulations while meeting modern retail demands. By incorporating large, street-facing windows to flood the space with light and using custom mahogany shelving to highlight their products, we created an inviting atmosphere that boosted foot traffic by 30% within the first six months.
The design process was enjoyable because it required blending the building's original brickwork with sleek, modern fixtures, ensuring the space felt authentic to Cambridge's vibe. We also added a small seating area for tastings, fostering a sense of community that aligned with the client's vision. This project exemplified how boutique commercial spaces can tell a story, blending market trends with personal touches that make Boston's neighborhoods feel alive and connected.
Building Functional Flooring Showrooms
Showroom spaces win every time. They provide a direct line to the customer's decision-making process. When we design them, we don't aim for flash. We aim for function. People need to see floors in use, not stacked on racks, but laid out in rooms that feel real.
We build living spaces inside our showrooms. Kitchens, bedrooms, basements. Each one features different flooring types in their natural use case. Hickory in a farmhouse-style kitchen. Waterproof vinyl in a utility room. Light oak in a minimalist living area. Trends don't drive the layout; clarity does. When customers walk into those spaces, they see their own homes reflected.
One of my favorite projects was a Tennessee showroom revamp. We tore down cluttered displays and replaced them with lifestyle setups. Each zone had natural light, muted walls, and only the flooring changed. We used clean transitions to walk visitors from rustic to modern. Sales jumped. Not from more foot traffic, but because people made faster decisions with more confidence.
Lighting and flow matter. We angle fixtures to show how the finish looks at different times of the day. We keep walking paths wide and intuitive. No signs. No hard sells. The space does the work.
Every showroom is a chance to teach without speaking. If your space isn't doing that, you're missing sales before the conversation starts.
