Commercial Design Proposal
Williams Commercial Center – Architectural Design Study
Client: Williams DevelopmentProject Type: Commercial Mixed-Use Building Design
Location: Maa, Davao City, Philippines
Date: July 2019
Situated on a triangular site in Maa, Davao City, the Williams Commercial Center explores a contemporary commercial building designed to maximize site geometry while providing functional retail spaces. The project responds to the unique shape of the lot by adopting a curved architectural form that defines both the building façade and the circulation corridors, creating a visually dynamic commercial frontage.
The ground floor accommodates a sequence of retail establishments oriented toward the street, encouraging pedestrian engagement and commercial visibility. Above, the second-floor corridor is shaded by the overhanging roof slab, providing shelter while allowing natural ventilation and daylight to penetrate the circulation spaces. Vertical louvers line the façade, filtering sunlight and reducing glare while maintaining views toward the surrounding urban environment.
Structurally, the building utilizes a combination of steel structural members and pre-fabricated concrete components, achieving both efficiency and durability. The façade is articulated with slender vertical elements that function as shading devices while also reinforcing the building’s architectural rhythm. These louvers are constructed from faux-painted hollow steel tubes, adding texture and depth to the exterior composition.
The project was developed as part of a schematic design service, translating conceptual form into a visual presentation suitable for design review and client presentation. Digital modeling and visualizations were produced using SketchUp for massing development and 3DS Max with the V-Ray render engine for high-quality photorealistic renderings.
Design Themes- Commercial architecture responding to triangular urban site conditions
- Curved façade geometry enhancing visual identity and circulation flow
- Vertical louvers providing passive shading and architectural rhythm
- Mixed-use retail spaces activating the street frontage
The result is a contemporary neighborhood commercial center where architectural form, shading strategies, and site geometry work together to create a functional and visually distinctive retail environment.
