I am always so interested in beautiful and inspired commercial/ corporate/ workplace design. Maybe because I’ve done so much of it over the years, and perhaps because it is in this discipline where I notice a real gap and a lack within our industry. Good commercial designs are few and far between, unlike residential, retail and hospitality interiors. So why is it so?

Is it because commercial design is too restricted by the budget and function in comparison to other sectors? I’ve seen many brilliant designs come out of tight budgets – this is precisely when a designer needs to be ultra creative, as he or she is not able to rely on those things that a generous budget can afford such as interesting finishes, amazing furniture, tricky lighting, creative consultants, artworks etc. This is true for good design in any genre. As for the function, I honestly don’t see how commercial design has a function that is more restrictive that that of a fine dining restaurant, a hotel or even some retail spaces. Am I right…