Creating office space in a warehouse is a great solution if you are currently renting additional office space but feel you would better benefit from all your staff being in one location. Or you are working in restricted-size rooms already in your warehouse building.
If you’ve considered creating office space in a warehouse previously, or you’re reaching the limits of what your current warehouse layout provides, being smart about how your floor space is used is inestimable.
How can you create office space in your warehouse?
Several solutions can be considered when it comes to creating office space within your industrial or commercial warehouse, depending on your industry and the practical use of your warehouse, you will need to consider a solution that fits your requirements and optimises your available space.
You may want to consider the following solutions if it’s time to bring that office space into your existing warehouse.
A mezzanine floor is a great solution for creating office space within your warehouse environment as it effectively uses free space, above, which often goes underutilised in taller warehouse buildings. A mezzanine can be installed without cutting into your existing space, making it an ideal space-saving and space-increasing solution. A mezzanine floor is well suited to a wide range of warehouse environments and is a cost-effective and flexible solution – by using the space above your operation has more room to grow and an office mezzanine means you aren’t losing that well-needed floor space.
Mezzanine floors can also be single, two or even three-tier so there is the ability, if you have the headspace, to increase your warehouse significantly should you need to.
Another solid solution for creating office space within your warehouse, steel partitioning provides an effective barrier between different parts of your warehouse. Office space created using modular steel partitions uses utilises unused areas on the ground floor, meaning any dead space you have can be made functional.
Being made from modular panels, steel partitioning is a more flexible solution to creating additional space, it is well suited for complete renovations of your warehouse floor to create functional layouts and create new spaces within your facility. It makes for a great canteen, warehouse office or even a testing and lab facility.
A Composite partitioning wall system is a flexible cost-effective demountable solution where fire rating and soundproofing elements are not an issue, they are made from a lightweight plasterboard with a bonded core (similar to an egg box).
Modular systems can work in tandem with a mezzanine installation to create a flexible second-floor space for multiple purposes, such as staff changing rooms, chill-out zones or canteens.
Stud wall partitioning can be used to provide excellent fireproofing and soundproofing environments. It is the most versatile partitioning system we offer. The joints can be either taped and filled to give a seamless, solid wall appearance or finished with aluminium trims and vinyl, which are available in a choice of colours. Skirting boards are added to protect the partition, doors can be added in a range of finishes to match any existing furnishings.
Stud wall partitioning is an economic system that is strong, compact and lightweight, it can be used for domestic, commercial properties and warehouses to create office space within an open environment.
– Extension to warehouse premises.
If you are fortunate enough to have additional land around your warehouse you may consider an extension to your existing premises, this solution works well if you have plans for significant growth and expansion, it could mean adding a second building to the premises for office space. The other alternative is to extend directly onto the side or rear of your warehouse which will provide direct access without the challenges of creating a brand-new building.
An extension is a feasible alternative solution if your warehouse does not have the height clearance for a mezzanine floor.
Considerations when creating office space in a warehouse.
The solution you choose for your office space will depend on several factors, these factors all need to be considered before deciding on the best solution for your requirements. Some considerations that you should bear in mind before you start your project:
– Safety Standards and requirements.
You must ensure that all necessary on-site safety standards are met for office space as well as your warehouse – if your warehouse has moving vehicles or high-level storage it might affect the placement of your office space.
It is also a requirement that all staff have access to washroom facilities and a place to eat and drink, it could be that you have to rework existing facilities so they can safely be accessed by office and warehouse employees.
– Accessibility.
Accessibility is a safety and security concern, it is preferred for office space to be as close to an entrance as possible i.e a staircase within the entry of your warehouse to a mezzanine level. This confine staff walking through other areas of the warehouse where there are restricted areas.
-Building Regulations
Always check that the office area and design conform to building control regulations, things you need to consider are fire escapes, fire rating and air circulation to name a few
– Staff and client privacy.
Staff meetings, client meetings, and finance and HR meetings will all require a level of privacy, whether it’s discussing a project, a staffing issue or finances it is important that your office space offers suitable measures of soundproofing and security.
The best solution for this would be a mezzanine floor with insulated partitioning to maximise any privacy concerns.
– Sound transmission.
Most warehouses are loud and noisy working environments so your warehouse office space mustn’t be affected. A mezzanine floor has the benefit of distance, along with sound-dampening materials, it’s possible to eliminate high decibels of noise easily. For ground-floor offices, you will need to invest in materials for the walls, floors and ceilings to prevent vibrations from other machinery operating on the same level.
– Business disruption during installation.
There is always going be some disruption when installing an office within a warehouse, however, by choosing a mezzanine floor as your solution there is less disruption as the mezzanine can be installed quickly and once installed it can be completed and furnished without having an impact on the surrounding areas.
Extensions also offer limited disruption, unless you plan to move around the layout of the ground floor.
– Future-proofing.
It is important to choose a solution that will work with your business moving forward – having a space that works perfectly for your employee count right now might be great but as your business expands or your needs change you may be restricted with what you can and can’t do. Flexibility is key!
