Commercial building and plaza design in Lahore and Islamabad

It depends on the authority and the plot's commercial category. DHA Lahore allows a basement, ground floor, mezzanine and two floors in Phases I to IV, and four floors from Phase V onwards (Reg 23(e)). DHA Islamabad allows a basement, ground and three floors on a Sector Commercial plot, and five on a Main Commercial plot (8.86). An LDA-approved scheme's commercial centre allows ground plus five floors up to 72 ft on plots of 4 to under 10 Marla (3.3.2). On CDA and Bahria Town plots the figures are read from the plot's own terms.

Under LDA's regulations, it depends on where the plot sits. In the commercial centres of approved schemes, the table requires no parking up to 4 Kanal, and LDA's general rule excuses them where the approved layout provides parking. On converted plots and commercial roads, parking is set by use: 1 car per 1,600 sq ft for offices and shops, 1 per 500 sq ft for restaurants and cafés, plus motorcycle space equal to 16% of the car parking area (3.11). DHA Lahore applies its own standard, which we read for the plot.

For high-rise commercial buildings, CDA requires one space per 1,000 sq ft of covered area, following the CDA Board decision of 1 August 2026, which replaced one space per 750 sq ft. DHA Islamabad, RDA and Bahria Town apply their own standards, read for each plot.

In DHA Lahore the top two floors may be converted to apartments with DHA's prior approval (Reg 26). Under LDA's regulations a commercial building may contain apartments, and parking is then counted separately for each use (3.11). Apartments change entrances, parking and escape routes, so they are decided in the brief. Buildings that are mainly apartments are covered under apartment building design.

In Islamabad, commercial buildings above three storeys need at least one lift sized for a wheelchair, with an accessible toilet and an entrance ramp (ICT Building Control Regulations, cl. 4.1.16). Under LDA's rules, a multi-storey building without a lift must give ramp access to every floor (5.2.3), which is rarely practical on a commercial plot, so a lift is normally designed in. We confirm the requirement with the authority for each plot.

Under LDA's regulations: one 6 kg ABC extinguisher per 2,000 sq ft; for four to ten floors, a pressurised internal hydrant system with a 7,500 gallon overhead tank and a 15,000 gallon underground tank; and an emergency staircase in buildings over 48 ft, two on plots of 4 Kanal and above (5.4.4, 5.5.1). In Islamabad, fire safety drawings follow the Building Code of Pakistan Fire Safety Provisions 2016 (cl. 4.1.18).

Each authority sets its own period from a complete file. DHA Lahore allows 21 working days for scrutiny, and a resubmission restarts it (Reg 16). CDA gives approval or written reasons within 21 days for compliant plans, with working periods of three weeks up to 10,000 sq ft and six weeks above, and larger buildings go to its Design Vetting Committee (cl. 2.2.6, 3.7.1). We do not promise a shorter period than the authority's own.

The authority decides. LDA requires an architect registered with PCATP and on its approved list, and a PEC structural engineer with five years' experience (1.1). DHA Lahore requires an architect registered with PCATP and with DHA, and a PEC consulting structural engineer for multi-storey commercial buildings (Definition 76, Reg 15). DHA Islamabad requires an architect and structural engineer on its panel (8.5). We tell you at proposal stage who signs your submission.

The fee depends on the building, its stages and the scope of drawings, so it is quoted in writing after a meeting on your requirements, usually within two working days. The first consultation is free. The architecture and design fee page explains how fees are structured.

Yes, in Lahore and Islamabad/Rawalpindi. You can appoint Avenir for design only and tender the construction, or continue with the same team. Our construction quotation follows the drawings, the plot conditions and a measured bill of quantities. Architecture is offered across Pakistan.

Yes. We start on WhatsApp, then a video call at a time that suits you, and design reviews run on video with shared drawings. Each authority has an attorney route for owners abroad: a special power of attorney in DHA Lahore (Reg 63), DHA Islamabad's power of attorney procedure (3.13), and CDA's letter of acceptance of attorney (cl. 5.3.4).

The society, phase or sector; the plot size and dimensions; the width of the road in front and whether it is a corner; the plot's commercial category if you know it; the use you have in mind; and whether you will let, sell or occupy the building. Plot documents help if you have them.

No. This page covers buildings led by shops, offices, showrooms and other commercial uses, including those with apartments on the upper floors. Buildings that are mainly apartments, where unit mix and residential amenities drive the design, are covered under apartment building design.