Customers?

; )

value engineering meetings, foam cornices a huge parking lot., truncated domes, hideous signage, wall mounted trellis details mandated by planning to cover the austere stucco back and side walls, and asshole arrogant developers.

"Commercial" is a rather generic term that could include retail, office, entertertainment, and/or dining uses.

If you mean retail, important features often include:

• clear-span interiors
• high ceilings
• service access from the rear
• high visibility and access from the front
• proximity to parking
• close proximity to pedestrian traffic

That's what comes to mind for now...

and if you mean retail....be sure you have required turning radius for trucks, a flexible storefront arrangement so units can be easily divided and exit separations can be met, signage and a finish if signage is change (which is frequent) minimum damage to finish.

If you mean office...lobby, elevator core if required, exit separations, BOMA standards for measuring, restroom core, janitor closets, electrical room...

Profitability? Shouldn't this be a major function for all buildings?

I now that we like to act as if the buildings we design have nothing to do with the money. So our buildings should provide most of all a good ROI.