While the exterior design of commercial buildings was once thought not to matter to what went on indoors, or was thought to be inconsequential to its use, times and opinions have changed.
Today, many business and building owners want a building design that is eye-catching, dynamic, and at least reminiscent of what goes on there. For that reason, commercial building exterior design is beginning to diversify, with newer buildings each putting their own personal stamp on their design in terms of color, texture, pattern, and style.
The Different Materials for Building Exteriors
Choosing the right materials for a commercial building is crucial. And there are so many to choose from that it can be quite overwhelming. Here’s a brief overview of popular commercial exterior materials, including their pros and cons:
- Brick: Durable and timeless, brick offers excellent thermal performance and fire resistance. However, it can be expensive and labor-intensive to install.
- Wood: This material offers a warm, natural aesthetic that can be very inviting. Unfortunately, wood also requires regular maintenance to protect it from the elements and prevent rot or insect damage.
- Vinyl: This is a cost-effective and low-maintenance option that comes in various styles and colors. However, vinyl can be less durable than other materials and may fade or crack over time.
- Stucco: This material provides a smooth, clean look that can be painted in any color. Stucco is also durable and fire-resistant but can crack if the building settles or shifts.
- Stone Veneer: This luxurious material offers the appearance of natural stone at a lower cost and weight. It is also durable and versatile but can be more expensive than other veneer options and difficult to install.
- Metal: Metal panels are durable and low-maintenance but can be prone to denting and may require insulation to improve energy efficiency.
- Fiber Cement: This material combines the durability of cement with the appearance of wood or other materials. It is fire-resistant, low-maintenance, and offers excellent longevity. Plus, it’s relatively easy to install. That makes fiber cement one of the best materials on the market for commercial exterior design.
Commercial Building Exterior Design Ideas
Are you looking for some design inspiration? These fourteen commercial building exterior design ideas are designed to help you gain some inspiration to push you toward creating a unique building exterior of your own.
1. Dynamic Color and Texture
There is little that is more eye catching than a bold color. Color has a powerful effect on emotions, and the color red is seen as passionate, powerful, and something that will drive people forward. This commercial building makes good use of this color by outfitting the central tower in bold red architectural panels.
The smooth panels contrast the corrugated look of the panels on either side, calling even more attention to the color in the center and making this building stand out from any competition.
2. Mixed Materials
The color and style of this building are more subtle, but no less dynamic. In this case, a blend of natural stone along with architectural panels and lap siding gives a lot of depth to the design.
The architectural paneling on the corner portion of the building is sized to match the windows, so that they follow the same pattern over the section. The lap siding is the perfect contrast to both the smooth panels and the natural rock on the other side, playing off both the texture and the color of each.
3. The Angle of Design
This semi-rustic building calls to mind several different styles of architecture at once by blending different materials and designs in one façade. The wood-style beams call to mind steel girders, yet have a pleasingly rustic finish to them that blends well with the natural stone on the lower half.
The color of the horizontal lap siding plays nicely with both the wood stain and the natural stone to create a design that appears to be harmonious with nature. The angles of the beams and of the window above help bring a lot of dimension to the building as a whole, making it appear to take up more space than it actually does.
4. Smooth, Sleek Design
Giving your building some character and personality doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to dress it up in a lot of decorative elements. This sleek building is powerful and imposing with very clean lines and little in the way of decoration.
The architectural panels in two colors break up the lines of the exterior just enough to be interesting, but are still sleek and smooth enough to keep from being the main attraction in the design. The mixture of metal and brick with the panels adds a lot of dimension and interest to the building, creating a modern façade that can complement a number of different businesses and purposes there.
5. Thoroughly Rustic Design
Not every commercial building needs to look contemporary, powerful, or impersonal. Some buildings, in fact, look better when they’re approachable and in tune with their surroundings. This rustic building design does just that, with warm, wood-look lap siding and big windows.
Silver trim and metal posts help to contrast the natural design that this building calls up, making it the perfect fit into any resort area. This building is infinitely approachable and welcoming, drawing people right into its front doors.
6. Contrasting Lines
This building blends rustic and contemporary designs together beautifully to complete its style. The wood-look shiplap siding features faux rivets that complement the architectural panels used beside them. The same shiplap is used on the underside of the overhangs, which creates an optical illusion that makes it appear as though the building is bending in space.
The contrasting lines, angles, and materials create depth and dimension in the exterior, drawing the eye easily. The resulting building is nearly a work of art with its many planes, lines, and angles, as well as the little details, such as the silver trim, adding to the effect and keeping the lines from becoming too severe.
7. Pattern Play
This commercial building creates a very handsome design through the subtle use of shape and pattern. The same color and trim are used throughout the exterior, but the shape of the panels changes depending on the section. This creates a unique pattern over the façade that grows more interesting the longer you look at it.
Rather than attracting the eye at first glance, this building holds your gaze for longer as you seek out the various shapes and how they piece together. The result is a design that proves that you don’t need to be flashy or decorative to have a dynamic appearance or to hold people’s attention.
8. Multi-Level Design
Buildings don’t have to be several stories tall to make the most of their height in design. This two-story building uses different shades of architectural panels paired with glass and wood-look siding to create a dynamic display that conveys more height than it actually has.
The upper portion widens away from the lower front portion slightly, giving the front of the building a frame that works well with the glass walls. The glass and architectural panels use similar framing, which helps to give the entire building a cohesive look and design. The end result is a building with a lot of character that fills the space that it’s in well, making the most of its surroundings.
9. Simple, Classic Design
Sometimes, what a building or business needs is just a fresh take on a classic design. This building does just that, blending horizontal lap siding with green architectural panels, wood-look trim, stone siding, and lots of glass. The end result is reminiscent of designs that buildings like it have used for decades but with a fresh, contemporary twist.
The gorgeous green panels on the upper levels help to draw the eye upward, giving the building height, while the glass windows give the building a cohesive appearance that cements the design and makes the different sections work together so well.
The fiber cement siding on this contemporary apartment complex blends seamlessly with various colors and textures featured throughout the design, creating a vibrant and modern look. The alternating panels and horizontal lines enhance the building’s dynamic appearance and make it stand out in the urban landscape.
This design not only offers durability but also adds a fresh, inviting spectrum of colors to the residential area.
11. Rustic Elegance
This commercial building features a charming mix of fiber cement and brick siding, hich creates a rustic yet sophisticated exterior. The green, yellow, and grey tones of the siding complement the natural stone base, adding depth and character to the façade.
And the fiber cement’s versatility and low maintenance make it an ideal choice for achieving a timeless, welcoming design.
12. Sleek Urban Style
The sleek, dark fiber cement panels on this modern building give it a bold and minimalist aesthetic. The smooth surface and clean lines create a sophisticated and professional look, perfect for an urban setting. The use of fiber cement ensures the building remains durable and low-maintenance while maintaining its striking appearance.
13. Vibrant Green Façade
This commercial building stands out with its vibrant green fiber cement panels, offering a bold and refreshing contemporary look. The clean lines and uniformity of the panels create a sleek, modern design that draws attention without overwhelming the senses.
Plus, the fiber cement material provides long-lasting color and durability, ensuring the building remains eye-catching for years to come.
14. Geometric Precision
The crisp, gray fiber cement siding on this high-rise building features subtle geometric patterns, adding an element of intrigue to the design. The clean, angular lines and smooth surface contribute to a modern, polished look that exudes professionalism.
The durability and low maintenance of fiber cement make it a practical design choice that perfectly matches the contemporary design style. This is the type of commercial building where employees want to work, and customers and clients want to visit.
Introducing Fiber Cement Panels from Allura
At Allura, our fiber cement panels combine the best aspects of durability and design flexibility. They are resistant to fire, moisture, and pests, ensuring longevity and minimal maintenance. And with a ton of custom colors available paired with the fact that they can perfectly replicate the look of wood, stone, or stucco, our panels offer endless possibilities for the look and design of your commercial building exterior.
With superior performance and aesthetic appeal woven into every panel, our fiber cement siding is an excellent choice for modern commercial buildings.
Create Your Own Unique Commercial Exterior Building Design
The exterior of a building is nearly as important as what goes on inside. The façade is what people see first and what they begin drawing their first impressions from. Therefore, any commercial building needs to make a good impression on anyone who simply passes by.
These commercial building exterior design ideas are just the beginning of what’s possible to create in the world of building design. Use them as the jumping-off point to create your own unique building design and begin seeing what possibilities exist for your business.
Contact us today to get started!
