Commercial spaces come with real constraints—leases, codes, timelines, and approval processes that leave little room for guesswork. Dwelling Lab provides commercial architecture services for businesses and property stakeholders, with a focus on commercial interiors, tenant improvements, and adaptive reuse where design decisions must align with permitting and regulatory requirements from the start.
Based in the Bay Area, we work on projects shaped by complex zoning, accessibility, and life-safety standards that vary by jurisdiction. Our role is to help clients understand what is feasible early, align architectural design with local regulations, and move forward through design and permitting with greater confidence.
Dwelling Lab provides architectural services for commercial projects where design, documentation, and approvals must align from the start. Our scope is focused on architecture, permitting, and construction documentation—supporting projects that require precision, coordination, and a clear understanding of regulatory requirements.
Commercial architecture varies significantly depending on use, occupancy, and regulatory requirements. Dwelling Lab specializes in architectural services for commercial project types where permitting, accessibility, and operational needs must be carefully coordinated from the outset.
🍴 Health department and code requirements
🍴 ADA compliance and accessibility planning
🍴 Ventilation and life-safety coordination
🍴 Occupancy classifications and seating layouts
🍴 Balance between customer experience and back-of-house efficiency
🍴 Permitting considerations that can impact project timelines
🏷️ Adapting brand standards to individual locations
🏷️ Landlord criteria and lease requirements
🏷️ Zoning and accessibility compliance
🏷️ Life-safety and egress planning
🏷️ Maintaining brand intent across multiple locations
💼 Flexible layouts that support changing needs
💼 Accessibility and building code compliance
💼 Change-of-use and occupancy triggers
💼 Egress requirements and circulation planning
💼 Long-term adaptability as organizations grow or shift
⚚ Use-specific code and regulatory requirements
⚚ ADA compliance and accessibility considerations
⚚ Spatial planning for efficient workflows
⚚ Privacy, safety, and user comfort
⚚ Coordination with jurisdictional review standards
🚧 Zoning allowances and use limitations
🚧 Occupancy classification changes
🚧 Life-safety and accessibility upgrade requirements
🚧 Assessment of existing building conditions
🚧 Unlocking new potential within existing structures
Dwelling Lab is an architectural practice with a focus on design, permitting, and documentation for commercial projects. We provide architectural direction that supports informed decision-making and successful approvals, while working collaboratively with business owners, tenants, landlords, and construction teams—without performing construction or acting as a general contractor.
By engaging an architect early, commercial clients gain a clearer understanding of feasibility, code requirements, and permitting expectations before construction begins. This architecture-led approach is especially valuable for tenant improvements, interior commercial projects, and adaptive reuse, where early design decisions directly affect approvals, cost, and long-term usability.
Commercial projects benefit from a structured architectural process that accounts for regulatory requirements, site constraints, and long-term functionality from the beginning. Dwelling Lab’s process is designed to bring clarity early and maintain alignment through design and permitting.
Each project begins with an evaluation of the site and, when applicable, lease requirements. We review existing conditions, zoning constraints, and use limitations to identify potential challenges before design work begins. This early analysis helps clients understand what is feasible within a space and avoid misalignment between design intent and regulatory realities.
Building code and accessibility requirements play a central role in commercial architecture. We assess occupancy classifications, egress requirements, and ADA triggers that may impact scope or cost. Identifying these requirements early allows design decisions to be informed, intentional, and compliant.
During schematic design, we develop architectural concepts and layouts that respond to program needs, operational goals, and code requirements. This phase establishes the spatial framework of the project and provides a basis for coordination with landlords, consultants, and other stakeholders.
Once a design direction is established, we prepare architectural drawing sets for permit submittal. These documents are coordinated with required consultants and tailored to jurisdictional requirements. Our focus is on producing clear, build-ready drawings that support an efficient plan review process.
During construction, we provide architectural support by responding to questions, clarifying design intent, and reviewing submittals as needed. This role helps maintain continuity between the approved documents and the constructed space while keeping architectural oversight clearly defined.
Designing commercial spaces in the Bay Area requires familiarity with local jurisdictions, permitting processes, and regulatory expectations that vary widely from city to city. Dwelling Lab provides commercial architecture services throughout the region, including projects in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, and surrounding Bay Area communities, where zoning standards, accessibility requirements, and review procedures can differ significantly.
Our experience working within these local frameworks allows us to anticipate common jurisdiction-specific considerations related to plan review, code interpretation, and approval timelines. Whether a project involves a tenant improvement, commercial interior, or adaptive reuse, understanding how local regulations shape design decisions is essential to keeping projects aligned and moving forward.
Most commercial tenant improvement projects require architect-prepared drawings, especially when work affects walls, occupancy, accessibility, or building systems. Many landlords also require architectural drawings as part of lease compliance. An architect ensures the project meets zoning, building code, and ADA requirements before permits are submitted.
In California and throughout the Bay Area, tenant improvement projects often trigger ADA upgrades based on scope of work and construction valuation. These requirements may extend beyond the tenant space to include path-of-travel elements such as restrooms, entrances, or parking.
Permitting timelines vary by city, project scope, and use. Interior commercial permits may move quickly in some jurisdictions, while others require multi-department review. Change of use, accessibility upgrades, and life-safety conditions can significantly affect approval timelines.
Yes. Architectural feasibility studies are often completed before a lease is finalized to assess zoning compliance, allowable use, and potential upgrade requirements. This helps tenants and property owners understand risks and costs before committing to a space.
Commercial permits typically require architectural drawings showing floor plans, accessibility compliance, life-safety elements, and code information. Additional consultant drawings may be required depending on the project. Clear documentation is essential for jurisdictional review.
A commercial architect provides design, planning, and permit documentation, while contractors are responsible for construction. Engaging an architect early helps define scope, address regulatory requirements, and guide construction through approved drawings.
Early architectural involvement helps identify zoning constraints, code triggers, and feasibility issues before they affect schedule or cost. This is especially important for tenant improvements, commercial interiors, and adaptive reuse projects.
Dwelling Lab works with business owners, tenants, and property stakeholders who want clarity before moving forward. Whether you’re evaluating a potential space, planning a tenant improvement, or adapting an existing building for a new use, architectural insight at the outset can help reduce risk and support smoother approvals.
If you’re planning a commercial project in the Bay Area and need architectural expertise grounded in feasibility and regulatory understanding, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your goals.
