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This commercial building uses various colored panels on the exterior. There are trees around the outside of the building.
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Commercial Building Design Ideas for Modern Buildings

Exterior commercial designs often have very precise goals and requirements that are very different from residential exteriors. Knowing what to look for and how to creatively utilize the available materials can help architects and designers consistently hit the mark for their clients.

Today’s most successful office and commercial building exteriors draw on unique and refreshing combinations created with modern materials. Fiber cement is a great exterior material for buildings. It’s built to last, requires very little maintenance and offers an incredible range of colors and shapes to work with — making it a prime pick for modern buildings.

Browsing fresh approaches to commercial design can help get your wheels turning and provide inspiration. Take a look at these  three unique approaches to creating innovative commercial exteriors from coast to coast.

1. Mixing Colors for Brand Identity and Appeal

Color is maybe the most fundamental consideration when designing any exterior. It has the power to set the tone — whether that’s professional, upscale, family-friendly, private or welcoming. Creating the right emotional response is vital for reflecting the business accurately, and the building’s exterior facade is usually the first thing people see when they arrive.

A community center in Nashville, TN has blue fiber cement panels with the hockey team’s mascot on the building.

Ford Ice Center Case Study

Specific hues can reflect the brand identity of the space. This is particularly important in standalone buildings or commercial buildings with several locations across the city, region or country, as creating color consistency can help with public recognition and reinforce the values and professionalism of the business located in that space.

This commercial building uses various colored panels on the exterior. There are trees around the outside of the building.

Many of the latest designs for the building exteriors use color coordination and contrast to create memorable, eye-catching appearances. Color contrast can also be used to draw the eye to a focal point on the building’s facade, perhaps at the entryway or as a background for the street address or business name located in the front of the building. Intentional use of color is absolutely essential in successful exterior designs.

2. Using Different Sizes of Panels Successfully

Another technique to consider when designing a commercial exterior is to use different sizes of fiber cement panels to create visual dimension and texture. Small, square panels can be arranged alongside long rectangular panels in a similar or different color to create vivid patterning. The use of different panel sizes can effectively create a refreshing, modern aesthetic and elevate the energy of the building’s exterior.

This student living building has patio areas for each apartment. There is gray and orange fiber cement siding.

3. Playing with Orientation for Unique Look

By now, you may be catching on to the latest exterior design trend: mixing and matching. This third exterior design approach takes this same concept but applies it to orientation. Vertical panels are partnered with horizontal panels for a more dynamic layout that catches the eye.

This student housing building features fiber cement siding. There is a road that is beside the building, and there are cars parked next to the sidewalk.

Vertical and horizontal paneling work well together because at their core they both have linear qualities. This is not the same as integrating archways, circles, ovals or other curved shapes into the design exterior. Whether the fiber cement panels are installed vertically or horizontally, they’ll still emphasize the foundation lines and vertical corner lines of the building exterior’s facade.

This commercial building has apartments for lease. There are cars parked along the side of the building.

Fiber Cement Panels Are Perfect for Commercial Creativity

No matter what the goals of an office or commercial building exterior may be, fiber cement panels are an ideal choice of material to use throughout the facade as they’re particularly suited for commercial building conditions.

Unlike residential properties, commercial properties don’t always have the personalized attention and day-to-day upkeep that a homeowner may give to their home. For this reason, long-lasting, low-maintenance exteriors are  a vital consideration for commercial buildings.

This apartment building has an outdoor area for games and lounging. There are balconies attached to the apartments. Fiber cement panels are incredibly durable, meaning they can last longer than other cladding materials and require extremely little maintenance. As a result, they can keep their original appearance without much attention, which is a huge benefit for commercial property owners. Plus, the color selection is impressive, and fiber cement panels are specifically designed to maintain their original color quality for years.

Commercial Trends Delivered

Inspiration for your next commercial building project is just a click away. Our look book is filled with commercial exterior solutions to get your wheels turning. 

Bring Your Commercial Building Project to Life

There are many ways to create a unique exterior for commercial buildings. Mixing and matching these three elements — color, shape and orientation — continues to be a trend in office building exteriors and other commercial building projects.

This shooting range in Texas has red fiber cement siding on the exterior.

By offering an incredible range of colors and exceptional quality, fiber cement panels have become the preferred building material for modern developers looking to achieve unique, creative and memorable building facades. 

Download our commercial lookbook today to explore our full range of fiber cement panels and learn how you can apply these architectural strategies to your next building project.

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