Contact Matt Gorab, Assistant Landscape Architect
matt.gorab@benoy.com
In today’s commercial environments, the landscape is more than a backdrop; it’s an active player in commercial success. Thoughtfully designed outdoor areas can elevate a project from functional to memorable, enhancing both its visual appeal and economic value while supporting biodiversity and user wellbeing.
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Across urban and commercial architecture, the landscape functions as the connective tissue that unites physical space with the lived experience, from an enclosed courtyard between buildings to an activated public plaza in an urban retail hub. Green corridors, pedestrian-friendly pathways, and framed views link one space to the next along a user’s journey, encouraging exploration and effortless continuity.
Combining paving and plants activates commercial spaces to create outdoor rooms and corridors that choreograph how people move through a site. But the landscape doesn’t stop at the property line, it extends into the city, acting as an open invitation to enter, explore and linger.
Landscape design in urban environments is also recognised for its wellbeing and sustainability benefits. Shaded seating areas and thoughtfully placed greenery generate comfortable microclimates that soften the urban condition, boost biodiversity and provide aesthetic interest. In addition, landscape design transforms outdoor zones into places to linger, not just pass through. In the context of commercial environments with retail or F&B uses, this translates into greater engagement, longer dwell times, and increased business revenue.
Every successful landscape begins with an understanding of its users. From families to professionals, all visitors experience space differently and have different needs. A family-friendly retail courtyard might prioritise shade and flexible gathering spots, while a business district plaza could focus on sleek and elegant designs which augment adjacent businesses.
Our design process begins with understanding the site as a whole and identifying how landscape can uplift the public realm both functionally and aesthetically. We map circulation patterns, study sightlines, and identify opportunities for interaction, often utilising a SWOT analysis framework (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). Our goal is to unite distinct points of interest and carefully curate journeys, considering how users move through the landscape between entrances, gathering zones, and commercial spaces.
The most compelling commercial landscapes strike a careful balance between artistry and function. They utilise strong sightlines to create visual clarity, while smaller pocket spaces offer moments of respite and intimacy. Together, these layers form a dynamic experience that feels intentional yet effortless.
When landscape design works in harmony with the architectural programme, the results are transformative. Paving patterns catch the eye and subtly aid wayfinding, while planting provides textural variety and creates buffers, softening hard edges. The landscape complements and becomes a natural extension of the interior experience.
This cohesion threads an entire site together, making it not just a place to visit, but a destination to return to. As such, landscape isn’t merely a link but rather the heart of commercial environments – a living centrepiece that draws people in, enhances commercial brand identities, supports human comfort, and defines how people remember a space.
Whether it’s creating a moment of calm, somewhere to enjoy a lunch break, or a sleek and elegant public square, a thoughtfully designed landscape enriches the user experience and unlocks the full potential of commercial design.
