ACCO – Ahmed Construction Company · Updated 20 October 2026 · Reviewed by ACCO architects and engineers
Commercial Plaza Design in Lahore – ACCO
Commercial Plaza Design in Lahore
Site study, floor planning, façade and 3D design, structural and MEP coordination, and approval drawing sets for commercial plazas, shops and offices across Lahore.
Quick Answer
Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO) designs commercial plazas in Lahore. Our architects and engineers plan shop, office and mixed-use layouts, circulation, parking and façade, coordinate structural and MEP design, and prepare drawing sets for approval submission and construction. Every design responds to the plot, its intended use and the rules of the relevant authority, such as LDA, DHA or a private society.
What Our Commercial Plaza Design Service Covers
Site study and brief
Plot dimensions, road frontage, neighbouring buildings, intended tenants and your budget.
Space programming
How much area goes to shops, offices, services, circulation and parking.
Floor plans
Basement, ground, upper floors and roof, with rentable areas marked.
Façade and 3D
Front elevation, materials and 3D views before you approve.
Structural design
Foundation and frame design by ACCO’s structural engineering team.
MEP coordination
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC and fire-safety layouts. See MEP and fire fighting.
Architectural drawings are free when ACCO is awarded the construction contract.
How Plot Size and Building Rules Shape the Design
A plaza’s form starts with rules, not style. The authority that controls your plot sets setbacks, ground coverage, permitted height or floors, basement extent and parking requirements. These differ between LDA-controlled areas, DHA and private societies, and they change over time.
We confirm the current rules for your plot before design starts, then test layouts against them. We prepare drawings to those rules, but approval decisions rest with the authority, so we never promise approval in advance.
Shop, Office and Mixed-Use Layouts
Good layouts make a plaza easier to lease. Ground-floor shops get maximum frontage and clear glazing, with service access at the rear where possible. Upper floors use flexible spans so units can be combined or split. Washrooms, shafts and stores are grouped to keep rentable area efficient, and mixed-use buildings get separate entrances where needed.
Stairs, Lifts and Parking
We size staircases, corridors and lift cores for the expected occupancy and the fire-escape requirements that apply. Lift position and number are fixed early because they affect structure, rentable area and cost. Parking often decides how many floors are practical, so we test ground, basement or combined parking, with ramps and turning space, at concept stage.
Structural and MEP Coordination
Architecture, structure and building services are drawn together so that beams, ducts, pipes and ceilings fit before construction, reducing clashes on site. Structural drawings are signed by a PEC-registered engineer. Specialist systems such as lifts and central HVAC are planned with their suppliers’ requirements.
Façade, Elevation and 3D Views
The front elevation is your plaza’s sign. We design façades in materials suited to Lahore’s heat and dust, such as shaded glazing, stone or composite cladding and plaster finishes, and show them in 3D before you approve. The images below are ACCO design concepts, not completed buildings.
Drawing Packages and Approval Support
| Package | Typical contents |
|---|---|
| Concept | Site plan, floor layouts, area schedule, massing or 3D view |
| Approval set | Architectural plans, sections, elevations and structural drawings in the authority’s format |
| Working drawings | Detailed architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing and fire-safety drawings for construction |
ACCO prepares and submits approval drawings and follows up observations as part of the agreed scope.
Our Design Process
Brief
Use, budget, timeline and tenants.
Plot and rules
Documents checked; current rules confirmed.
Concept
Layouts, area schedule and options.
Façade and 3D
Elevation options shown in 3D.
Engineering
Structural and MEP coordination.
Drawings
Approval set, then working drawings.
To see what a design might cost to build, read our commercial plaza construction cost guide. If you want one team to design and build, see commercial plaza design and build; for construction only, see commercial building construction.
Design Deliverables by Stage
Each stage ends with a clear set of drawings and a decision from you, so design moves forward only when you have approved the previous step.
| Stage | What ACCO delivers | Your decision |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Feasibility | Plot and rule check, buildable area, number of floors, parking options, rough budget | Go ahead with the project concept |
| 2. Concept design | Floor layouts, area schedule (gross and rentable), massing and first 3D view | Approve layout and floor count |
| 3. Design development | Refined plans, sections, façade design, structural grid, MEP routes, outline specification | Approve façade and specification level |
| 4. Approval drawings | Architectural and structural drawing set in the authority’s format, signed by registered professionals | Sign submission documents |
| 5. Working drawings | Detailed architectural, structural, electrical, plumbing, drainage and fire-safety drawings, door and window schedules | Issue for construction or tender |
| 6. Construction support | Site queries answered, revisions issued, design checks at key stages | Approve any design changes |
Typical Planning Parameters for Lahore Plazas
These are the starting figures our architects test at concept stage. Final values depend on the authority’s rules for your plot, the structural design and your tenant mix.
| Element | Typical planning range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ground-floor shop height (floor to floor) | 14 – 16 ft (4.3 – 4.9 m) | Allows mezzanine, signage and services above shopfronts |
| Upper-floor shop or office height | 11 – 13 ft (3.4 – 4.0 m) | Space for false ceiling, ducts and lighting |
| Basement height (parking) | 11 – 12 ft (3.4 – 3.7 m) | Clearance for cars, beams and services |
| Column grid for open shops | 20 – 30 ft (6 – 9 m) | Wider spans mean flexible units but deeper beams |
| Shop depth behind frontage | 25 – 45 ft (7.5 – 14 m) | Balances display frontage with usable depth |
| Passenger lift size | 8 – 13 persons per car | Chosen by floors, occupancy and tenant type |
| Net rentable efficiency target | 70 – 85% of covered area | Higher efficiency means more lettable space per rupee built |
Typical ranges used by ACCO for early planning. They are not building-code values; legal limits come from the authority for your plot.
What We Need From You to Start Design
Plot documents
Allotment or registry papers, site plan and plot number.
Location details
Road widths, corner or single front, neighbouring buildings.
Intended use
Shops, offices, showrooms, food outlets, apartments or a mix.
Budget range
A target budget helps us choose floors, basement and façade.
Timeline
When you want approval and when you want to start building.
Reference images
Façades or plazas you like, so we understand your taste.
Common Plaza Design Mistakes We Help You Avoid
- Designing before checking the rules: drawings that exceed permitted floors or coverage waste time and fees.
- Too many small shops: narrow units with poor depth are harder to lease.
- Ignoring parking: parking shortfalls can block approval and reduce footfall.
- Late lift and stair planning: adding a lift later cuts into rentable area and structure.
- Uncoordinated services: ducts and pipes that clash with beams lead to low ceilings and site changes.
- Façades that are hard to maintain: large glass areas without shading raise cooling cost and cleaning effort.
Commercial Plaza Guides
Related ACCO Services
Frequently Asked Questions
What drawings are included in a commercial plaza design package?
A concept set (layouts, area schedule, 3D view), an approval set (architectural and structural drawings) and working drawings for construction, including electrical, plumbing and fire-safety layouts.
Can ACCO design to LDA or DHA commercial rules?
Yes. We confirm the current rules for your plot with the relevant authority and design to them. Approval decisions rest with the authority.
Are design drawings free if ACCO builds the plaza?
Architectural drawings are free when ACCO is awarded the construction contract.
How long does commercial plaza design take?
It depends on plot size, number of floors and how quickly decisions are made. We give a design schedule with the proposal.
Do you provide 3D views of the plaza?
Yes. We share 3D views of façade options before you approve the elevation.
Can ACCO redesign or extend an existing plaza?
Yes. We survey the existing building, check its structure and the rules for additional floors, then propose a redesign or extension. Structural checks decide whether extra floors are feasible.
How many floors can I build on my commercial plot?
It depends on the authority, plot size, road width and parking. We confirm the permitted floors for your specific plot at feasibility stage before any design work.
Can the basement be used for shops?
In some areas basements can be commercial, while in others they must be used for parking or services. We check the rule for your plot before planning the basement.
Can you design the structure for future floors?
Yes, if the rules allow future floors. The foundations and columns are then designed for the extra load, which adds some cost now but avoids strengthening later.
Do you prepare a BOQ from the design?
Yes. Once design development is approved, ACCO prepares an itemised BOQ so you know the construction budget before tendering or awarding work.
How much do commercial plaza design services cost?
Design fees are quoted per project based on covered area and scope. Architectural drawings are free when ACCO is awarded the construction contract.
Will I receive CAD files?
Yes. Final drawings are issued as PDF sets, and CAD files can be provided on request as part of the agreed scope.
Discuss Your Commercial Plaza Design
Share your plot size, location, intended use and number of floors. ACCO will review the plot and propose a design scope.
Discuss Your Design WhatsApp +92 322 8000190
Call +92-322-8000190 · Email info@acco.com.pk · Office 2, 3rd Floor, BigCity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore