Complex vs. Building — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 18, 2024
A complex is a group of interconnected buildings or facilities serving a related function, while a building is a single, standalone structure used for various purposes like residential, commercial, or industrial.
Difference Between Complex and Building
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
A complex refers to a collection of buildings or facilities that are connected or grouped together, often serving a related function. For example, an apartment complex includes multiple residential buildings within one area, providing shared amenities such as pools or gyms. A building, on the other hand, is a standalone structure with its own foundation, walls, and roof, designed for specific uses such as residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. Each building functions independently, although it can be part of a larger complex.
While a complex includes multiple buildings and often shared amenities or services, a building typically serves a singular purpose and stands alone. For instance, a single office building functions independently, whereas an office complex consists of several buildings designed for business use, often with shared resources like parking or conference rooms.
In terms of scale, a complex is larger, encompassing several structures, while a building refers to just one structure. For example, a university complex includes various academic and administrative buildings, whereas a university building might just be one lecture hall or library.
A complex can provide a sense of community or integrated functionality due to its interconnected nature, whereas a building might focus more on the specific needs of its occupants or purpose. An industrial complex, for instance, combines multiple factories and warehouses, facilitating coordinated production and storage.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Group of interconnected buildings or facilities
Single, standalone structure
ADVERTISEMENT
Purpose
Related functions or services
Various specific purposes (residential, commercial, etc.)
Scale
Larger, encompassing multiple structures
Singular structure
Examples
Apartment complex, office complex
House, office building
Amenities
Often shared (pools, gyms, parking)
Specific to the building
Compare with Definitions
Complex
A facility with various interconnected components.
The sports complex features a stadium, gymnasium, and swimming pool.
Building
A residential or commercial property.
They bought a historic building to convert into a restaurant.
Complex
Consisting of interconnected or interwoven parts; composite
Complex equipment with multiple components.
Building
A structure used for a specific purpose such as housing or business.
The library building is a quiet place for study and research.
Complex
Composed of two or more units
A complex carbohydrate.
Building
A building, or edifice, is a structure with a roof and walls standing more or less permanently in one place, such as a house or factory. Buildings come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and functions, and have been adapted throughout history for a wide number of factors, from building materials available, to weather conditions, land prices, ground conditions, specific uses, and aesthetic reasons.
Complex
Difficult to understand for being intricate or involved; complicated
A complex problem.
Building
A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory.
Complex
Consisting of at least one bound form. Used of a word.
Building
The action or trade of constructing something
The building of motorways
Building materials
Complex
Consisting of an independent clause and at least one other independent or dependent clause. Used of a sentence.
Building
A flock of rooks
A picture of her standing amongst a building of rooks
Complex
A whole composed of interconnected or interwoven parts
A complex of cities and suburbs.
The military-industrial complex.
Building
Something that is built, as for human habitation; a structure.
Complex
A building or group of buildings used for a single purpose
A sports complex.
Building
The act, process, art, or occupation of constructing.
Complex
In psychoanalysis, a group of related, often repressed ideas and impulses that compel characteristic or habitual patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior.
Building
(uncountable) The act or process by which something is built; construction.
The building of the bridge will be completed in a couple of weeks.
Complex
An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear
Has a complex about his weight.
Building
(countable) A closed structure with walls and a roof.
My sister lives in that apartment building.
Complex
(Medicine) The combination of factors, symptoms, or signs of a disease or disorder that forms a syndrome.
Building
Present participle of build
Complex
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
A complex being; a complex idea
Building
The act of constructing, erecting, or establishing.
Hence it is that the building of our Sion rises no faster.
Complex
Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
Building
The art of constructing edifices, or the practice of civil architecture.
The execution of works of architecture necessarily includes building; but building is frequently employed when the result is not architectural.
Complex
Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1.
Complex number
Function of a complex variable
Building
That which is built; a fabric or edifice constructed, as a house, a church, etc.
Thy sumptuous buildings and thy wife's attireHave cost a mass of public treasury.
Complex
Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
Complex function
Building
A structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place;
There was a three-story building on the corner
It was an imposing edifice
Complex
Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
Complex polynomial
Complex algebraic variety
Building
The act of constructing or building something;
During the construction we had to take a detour
His hobby was the building of boats
Complex
(geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
Building
The commercial activity involved in constructing buildings;
Their main business is home construction
Workers in the building trades
Complex
A problem. en
Building
The occupants of a building;
The entire building complained about the noise
Complex
A network of interconnected systems.
Military-industrial complex
Building
A standalone structure with walls and a roof.
The new office building downtown has 20 floors.
Complex
A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
Building
An individual structure within a larger complex.
The main administration building is at the center of the campus.
Complex
An assemblage of related things; a collection.
Building
A single edifice with various floors or levels.
The apartment building has six floors and no elevator.
Complex
An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
Complex
A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity.
The fire complex began as two separate fires.
Complex
(taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
Complex
(psychoanalysis) An abnormal mental condition caused by repressed emotions.
Complex
A vehement, often excessive psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.
Complex
(chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules, as for example coordination complexes in inorganic chemistry and protein complexes in biochemistry.
Complex
(math) A complex number.
Complex
(linguistics) A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.
Complex
To form a complex with another substance
Complex
(transitive) To complicate.
Complex
Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
Complex
Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex.
Complex
Assemblage of related things; collection; complication.
This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
Complex
A conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts;
The complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town
Complex
A compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated
Complex
(psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior
Complex
A whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures
Complex
Complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts;
A complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody
A complex mass of diverse laws and customs
Complex
A group of interconnected buildings serving a related function.
The university complex includes lecture halls, dormitories, and cafeterias.
Complex
A residential area with multiple apartment buildings.
She lives in a sprawling apartment complex with over 200 units.
Complex
An industrial area with several factories or warehouses.
The industrial complex houses multiple manufacturing plants.
Complex
A large facility with shared services or amenities.
The office complex offers a shared cafeteria and conference rooms.
Common Curiosities
What is an example of a complex?
A university campus with multiple academic and administrative buildings is an example of a complex.
Can a complex include residential buildings?
Yes, an apartment complex, for example, includes multiple residential buildings.
Do complexes usually have shared amenities?
Yes, complexes often provide shared amenities like gyms, pools, or parking lots.
What is a complex in terms of architecture?
A complex is a group of interconnected buildings or facilities serving a related function.
Are the buildings within a complex interconnected?
Yes, buildings in a complex are often interconnected or grouped together functionally.
How does a building differ from a complex?
A building is a single, standalone structure, whereas a complex consists of multiple buildings.
Can a building be part of a complex?
Yes, a building can be part of a larger complex, such as an office building within a business complex.
Is a skyscraper considered a building or a complex?
A skyscraper is considered a building as it is a single, standalone structure.
What purposes can a building serve?
Buildings can serve various purposes, including residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional uses.
Are all large buildings considered complexes?
No, large buildings are not necessarily complexes; they can be standalone structures.
Does a complex always refer to buildings?
While a complex typically involves buildings, it can also refer to interconnected facilities serving a related function.
Is a hospital considered a building or a complex?
A hospital can be a single building or a complex if it includes multiple interconnected buildings.
What is the key characteristic of a complex?
The key characteristic of a complex is the presence of multiple interconnected buildings serving related functions.
Can a single building be part of multiple complexes?
Not usually; a building is typically part of one complex if it is part of any at all.
Can a complex be used for industrial purposes?
Yes, an industrial complex includes multiple factories or warehouses for coordinated production.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Destitution vs. Penury
Next Comparison
Gem vs. OreAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
