Commercial Design
Commercial design is all about people.
Our purpose isn’t to design a business; It is to contribute to the success and growth of your business. 
First Impressions Count. Your business conveys an unspoken message to prospective customers, employees, and business partners as they make decisions about working with you. Good design goes beyond first impressions by promoting profitability, supporting the well-being of your employees, and providing energy-efficient operations.
Wightman Architects and Interior Designers are experienced in developing human-centered commercial building design where you and your staff can get the job done. We do this by employing the Design Thinking Process through which we carefully listen to your needs, goals, plans for the future, and how you want your new building to contribute to the success of your business.
Our approach creates places where people are happy, healthy and connected. Understanding people and their culture allows us to design solutions that help clients accomplish their goals and have fun while they work.
By pairing your vision with our design knowledge, we deliver a series of unique design solutions customized to your needs. Together, we review, evaluate, and fine tune the options into a plan that deliver’s value to your business.
We believe well-executed design:
- Facilitates long-lasting relationships with your clients, partners, customers and employees.
- Creates an engaging environment supportive of employee needs
- Creates a great first impression for clients
- Supports and reinforces brand identity
- Influences productivity
- Increases client and employee retention
- Creates spaces that drive sales
- Keep your space looking relevant and fresh
Areas of Expertise:
- Commercial/Industrial
- Hospitality/Restaurant/Hotel
- Mixed-use
- Office/Workplace Design
- Retail
- Recreation
- Municipal
- Education
Services offered:
- Architecture
- Interior design
- Master Planning
- Landscape design
Our People
As design professionals that have a passion for aesthetics and practicality, we want to create a working environment that meets the needs of your business, employees and clients.
Chris Brayak AIA is a licensed architect with more than 30 years of experience in commercial design. He brings a down-to-earth approach to his work balancing client needs with practical results. Chris has a passion for sustainable design, adoptive reuse of buildings and historical architecture.
Casey Bourdo NCIDQ is a registered interior designer with 10 years of experience in a wide range of commercial related work including office design, hospitality and restaurant design. She has a passion for creating innovative and inviting spaces that contribute to the functionality of the space.
Contact Casey: cbourdo@gowightman.com
Project Examples
Leaders from New Buffalo Township wanted to consolidate municipal services at one location to better serve the community. The Wightman team partnered with the Township for a needs assessment that determined renovating the existing facility would be the most effective and efficient means through which to meet their goals. The central tower reflects the coastal character of the region. Local artists created the signature glass sculpture, “Ascension,” to represent air bubbles rising in the water within the tower’s interior.
Lane Automotive – Watervliet, MI
The Wightman architectural team partnered with Lane Automotive to triple their office and distribution facility with a 240,000 square foot addition. The Wightman team worked closely with the client’s warehouse inventory system vendor, operations manager, and marketing department to ensure consistent and efficient workflows.