Interior design and exterior architecture are increasingly inseparable. As more brands demand cohesive environments that express identity from the street to the boardroom, building wraps have emerged as one of the most powerful — and underspecified — tools in a commercial designer’s kit. 

If you haven’t included a building wrap in a recent project spec, here’s why you should consider it. 

What Is a Building Wrap? 

A building wrap is a large-format graphic or film applied to the exterior glass surface of a commercial building. It can cover portions of the facade or the entire building, and it can serve several functions simultaneously: 

• Brand expression — display logos, photography, or graphic identity at building scale 

• Solar control — reduce heat gain and glare through exterior glass 

• Revitalization — refresh an aging building exterior without construction 

• Wayfinding — guide visitors to entrances or communicate what’s inside 

• Face lift-revitalize an older fascade 

The Designer’s Role in Building Wrap Specification 

As the designer, your role is to define the visual concept and ensure it aligns with the client’s brand standards and the building’s architectural character. MetWest’s team handles everything else: 

• Site measurement and take-offs based on architectural drawings 

• Elevation renderings so you and your client can visualize the finished result 

• Material selection — perforated film allows interior visibility while exterior graphics display 

• Production and installation coordinated around construction schedules 

Case Study: Westwood, CA 

MetWest completed a building wrap project for the Occidental Petroleum Building that transformed the exterior glass facade while maintaining daylight quality inside. This is the kind of project that becomes a landmark — visitors notice it, tenants are proud of it, and the brand investment pays dividends long after installation.

Specifying for Success 

A few things to align on early when considering a building wrap spec: 

• Building ownership and permitting — some jurisdictions require approval for exterior graphics 

• Glass type and condition — age and glass coatings need to be considered 

• Maintenance plan — building wraps typically last 5–10 years; include lifecycle notes in your spec