Seth A Leeb Architect

While many of us are fortunate to have the physical ability to move around the workplace with ease, the reality is that this isn’t the case for thousands of working professionals. In fact, 20% of Americans have a functional disability that affects their ability to walk, see, climb stairs, or hear audible alerts. Access to these buildings isn’t just about legal compliance, it’s about making a building truly functional and enjoyable for everyone who uses it. For this reason, it’s essential that designs for commercial buildings make accessibility a priority. Here are some great features to include, from a leading specialist in commercial  architecture in NJ . Outside the Building Accessibility starts outside your building with features that include designated parking spaces (additional width for maneuverability), ramp curb features with a slope of less than 1:20, bright lighting and clear, bold signage, and a wide main door that is opened automatically by sensors or a second...

Whether you’re remodeling a building to fit your brand or starting from scratch with a new building, one of the first steps to realizing your project is to decide on your overall design concept. This sounds simple, but it’s pretty overwhelming in reality – there are so many options out there that it can be difficult to settle on a particular concept. Here’s some advice from a  commercial building design specialist  on how to find your inspiration. Look Online at Commercial Building Design Concepts  The Internet is a helpful resource for anyone looking for inspiring commercial architecture. It’s easy to browse websites, architectural magazines and more to see what the latest trends are all about, right from the comfort of your chair. It’s also a good resource for exploring different architectural concepts, reading up on what makes certain buildings so iconic, and for gathering a digital inspiration board of everything that catches your eye. Think About What You ...

Commercial architectural design  is a fascinating industry, always pushing the boundaries where business goals and functionality meet creativity and innovation. Office spaces continue to play a pivotal role in the success of a business, from attracting and retaining top talent, optimizing work flows and supporting technological advancement to supporting your brand and the wellness of your employees. Here are some of the leading trends impacting on this industry this New Year. Prioritizing the employee experience:  A spill over from the hotel and hospitality industry, experience-driven spaces are increasingly being incorporated into company workspaces. This means incorporating diverse elements that prioritize wellness, enjoyment of the workplace, and are part of the unique voice of your brand. These elements can include anything that speaks to your company culture – yoga studios, massage therapy, rock climbing walls, game rooms, active spaces – adding real wow-factor as...

Most people think that asbestos is only a problem that’s found in buildings constructed before 1970, but it’s not true. Asbestos can, by law, still be used in construction and is commonly found in exterior siding insulation, floor tiles, ceiling tiles, wallboards and much more. If you’re planning to remodel, here are some helpful insights from specialists in  commercial architecture in NJ. Is Asbestos in Commercial Buildings Safe?  The general consensus is that asbestos is safe in commercial buildings if it is left undisturbed. However, the remodeling or refurbishment process is likely to damage any asbestos in your building, releasing microscopic fibers into the air. When these are breathed in, that’s where asbestos is a serious health hazard, as it can lead to lung diseases and cancer. For this reason, health and safety protocols and NJ state guidelines must be followed throughout your commercial building design or remodeling project. What Steps Must Be Taken?...

When you’re planning to  build your dream home,  you’re going to want an architect with the right experience and qualifications. Here’s a quick guide to the industry terminology and what it means. Registered Architect:  In the USA, a Registered Architect is a Licensed Architect – a professional who has complete the requirements for architectural registration and hold a license to offer services in the relevant state. It is in fact illegal for anyone to call themselves an architect or offer these services without a license. RA, AIA or FAIA:  If your architect has any of these behind their name, it indicates that they are a Registered Architect. RA stands for “Registered Architect”, AIA stands for the “American Institute of Architects”, and FAIA stands for “Fellow of the American Institute of Architects”. An FAIA is a high honor and is only awarded to those architects who have made distinguished contribution to architecture. Architect’s stamp/Architect of ...

Building conversions aren’t just trendy – they’re a highly-sustainable building practice, essentially recycling an unused residential building to a commercial space and offices that are convenient and essential to the local community. Here are some tips on how to rezone a building, from  commercial architecture specialists in NJ . Rezoning Basics In NJ, most commercial zoning districts have a residential equivalent to make rezoning easier. It’s important to consult with an architect before you purchase a property with the idea of rezoning it so that they can properly review the property’s zoning and determine if rezoning is possible. Unfortunately, if rezoning to commercial is not possible, the project is unable to go ahead. Your only option then is to go ahead and file for a zoning variance, which is a case for getting approval on developing a property in a manner that does not conform with the property’s current zoning. These can be difficult, time-consuming and expen...

One of the expenses that will take up a portion of your residential or commercial building project is architectural fees. Here is a quick guide to these fees from a leading  architect in NJ  – although it is important to be aware that fee structures and cost will vary from firm to firm. Hourly Architectural Fees This is one of the most straightforward forms of billing as you simply pay a set hourly rate for the amount of time your architect spends on the project. However, this is not a popular form of billing amongst clients and is rarely used because there is no easy way to determine how many hours of work your architect will need to put in, so it makes budgeting for this expense difficult. Percentage of Construction Some architects offer their fee as a percentage of construction, where the client and architect agree at the beginning of the project on a set percentage of the client’s construction budget. This is then paid in monthly installments or at agreed-u...

The RCA Victor Building, Camden:  Known as the “Nipper Building” as it is crowned with the image of Nipper the dog looking into the horn of a phonograph player, it’s an iconic part of New Jersey’s industrial past. Designed in 1909 by Ballinger and Perrot, it’s a six-story industrial loft structure with a rusticated brick base and brick piers along its length. With massive metal windows that open between the piers headed by cast stone lintels, and walls capped with decorative cornices, it combines beautiful classical elements with industrial design. Rutgers Business School, Piscataway:  Part of the master plan of redesigning Rutgers University, the business school forms the gateway to the Livingston Campus. An L-shaped building, it rises 60 feet to become a massive entranceway for traffic, forming the border between the campus and the local nature preserve. The recipient of the AIA Honor Award from AIA NJ, it is a design that focusses on non-programmable space and the tra...

A well-designed office space offers companies great returns on their investment in terms of efficiency, productivity and brand representation. Here are some tips from our  commercial architecture team in NJ  for creating an optimal commercial building design. Always maximize natural light:  In the USA, a typical office worker spends around 90% of their waking hours indoors – usually at a workstation in front of a computer screen. This limited exposure to natural light is known to have negative effects on an individual, impacting on their mood, productivity and health. Simply by focusing your design on bringing sunshine and natural light into your space, your employees will be healthier, happier and more productive. Insulate your space:  Good quality insulation is one of the most economical and eco-friendly means to reducing your building’s energy costs. There are several highly-effective insulation options available on the market that are very affordable and...

A successful restaurant brings many different elements together to deliver a comprehensively enjoyable experience to diners – and one of the most critical of these elements is the design of the space itself. Here are some insights from a  commercial architect  in NJ on how to make the most of your restaurant design. Prioritize your spending:  Restaurant design and fitment costs can escalate rapidly and the sky’s the limit. It’s best to first focus your spending on the most critical areas – creating a functional layout for the kitchen and dining space, installing effective task and dining lighting, and investing in robust and comfortable seating that fits the space. Settle on your brand and image:  After the budget is set for those areas, look for a few striking elements to add personality to your space and advertise your brand. It’s important that these elements are well thought-out and directly align with the restaurant’s overall theme. Here, customization ...

Green and sustainable construction and design trends are increasing their impact on commercial architecture through 2018, and all indicators show that a more environmentally-friendly approach to designing, building and running commercial properties is here to stay. Here are some insights into sustainable commercial architecture, from a leading  commercial architect in NJ. What is Sustainable Commercial Architecture All About?  This is about taking an environmentally-conscious approach to every aspect of your building’s design, not simply placing solar panels on a roof and calling it a green building. It’s about long-term benefits –  In contrast to a culture of immediate gratification, this approach is about long-term benefits – significant ones. From reducing operational costs to ensuring buildings stand and operate efficiently for decades to come, to creating an environment and community that supports a highly productive and low-carbon culture. Making the en...

Businesses want a lot from their buildings, from aesthetics that support their brand to designs that help them meet goals for growth and expansion.  Commercial architecture in NJ  and around the world is increasing its engagement with the goals of clients by including these great trends that actively enhance productivity. Eliminating clutter:  With forward-thinking architectural design, much of the distracting wiring and clutter of an office workplace can be hidden away to achieve a clean, seamless and calming aesthetic. This is especially important in open-plan and flexible office spaces, as clutter can quickly accumulate and pollute an entire department. These features are also great for future-proofing a workplace, by providing the space and structural openings needed to accommodate expansion and technological advances. Nature:  Bringing the natural world indoors and especially into the office environment is a big trend that is showing significant results...

The workspace has transformed over the last ten years from a classic – often unimaginative – and rigid structure to something far more dynamic, creative and aware of its place in the wider community. This change shows no sign of slowing down in 2018, bringing with it exciting trends that will have a lasting impact on commercial building design and  commercial architecture in NJ  and around the world. The Unconventional Workspace  One of the biggest commercial building design trends for 2018 is the drive to differentiate your workspace by going against all the conventions of what a traditional office stands for. Think open spaces inspired by living rooms, coffee bars and spas. Think activity-based spaces that embrace color, personality and inspiration. Think of bold design, ways of using materials in an unexpected way, and creating multi-use spaces that embody casual creativity. The Biophillic Workspace  This is a philosophy about the connections betw...

With so many different contractors and companies involved in the creation of a commercial building, there is often confusion over who is responsible for what role. Here’s some insight into the role of a  commercial architect on a project . Limited or Full-Service Commercial Architect?  A full-service architect  is responsible for the widest range of services during the design, conception, planning and construction of a commercial project. The client can decide to choose the full package of services or a limited amount of services based on what they require, and this determines the architect’s involvement in the project. For example, these services include: Site analysis Egress studies Contractor bid process management Town building code plan approvals and management Roof analysis Masonry analysis Elevator design ADA and/or barrier free design and compliance Cost estimating Schematic design and Building investigation This is in addition to general...

While all commercial buildings have their special requirements, medical office suites require additional care in the design process because of their particular function. Here are some insights from a  commercial NJ architect  with experience in medical office design. Form Meets Function, Meets Health  While there are hundreds of aspects of design, many of them creative and innovative, architects follow the adage that “form follows function” – that is, the physical structure should be determined by its purpose. In  medical office design , this means creating a space that allows you to treat and manage patients efficiently and with a high standard of care. Some features of this design philosophy include: Creating single direction traffic flow:  Flow through a medical office should take the shape of a loop, so patients don’t retrace their steps or double-back, starting and ending in the reception area. This ensures that patients don’t get lost or conf...

Herzog & de Meuron, Elbphilharmonie, Hamburg – Germany:  Although it was completed at the very end of 2016, this building makes our list because it only opened in January 2017 – and because it is simply one of the most extraordinary pieces of architecture in our time. A concert hall like no other, this 789 million Euro building features an astonishing undulating wall of 600 glass panes floating over a refurbished cocoa warehouse that features the striking Brick Expressionism that is part of Hamburg’s history. Designed by Fritz Hoger, this sculptural building is all about the details – from hand-blown glass lamps to the individual and changing views built into the flow of the building. Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, Cape Town –  South Africa:  Designed by Tomas Heatherwick, this building houses a massive collection of African art in almost 65 thousand square feet, spread over 7 stories – all inside former 1920s grain silos in the country’s iconic waterfr...