When you have a room with a high ceiling, you can get a permit to build a mezzanine office space. You can add valuable floor space about as much as a third of the area below.
That’s a lot of extra workspaces that can also serve as a focal point for your office after all mezzanines that are well placed and well-designed catch the eye.
Up in the air
Designing an elevated command post can be quite exciting. However, don’t get lost with the whimsical nature of lofty platforms. You have to plan carefully and make a list of requirements to turn it into a functional spot.
Having a functional platform is a saving grace for many startups, particularly organizations having to work with a limited budget. A balcony area increases the workspace twofold, and that makes a huge difference.
Making available space work
What is the available ceiling height in your office area? If the height from floor to ceiling at 12 feet or less (about 3.6 meters), you can only use the area below the stoop for storage. If you have at least 14 feet of height, then you can use both the gallery and the area below it as office space.
The loading capacity is an important parameter as well. Consult a civil engineer as to loading requirements and ask for suggestions on what materials to use to accommodate your specific needs.
Design tricks that increase space
Don’t fret if you don’t have the floor area you envision as the first headquarters of your brand. You can always start small and expand later. If you have a modest area for your base of operations, you can expand it further with the right architectural choices.
How do you transform a plain balcony into a proper nerve center for your brand? Find inspiration from design suggestions for home offices. An open-plan layout should promote a wide-open feel, and limit your expenses as well.
It’s better not to divide an already small area into smaller cubicles. That will only promote a feeling of containment. Instead, look into open space layouts for limited areas and plan a custom layout that suits your need and daily workflow.
Talking about deflection
One of the points of scrutiny concerning the mezzanine structure and design is the floor deflection. Simplified, the floor of your loft must be rigid as opposed to bouncy.
You don’t want the people stationed below to look up from their work every time someone is making the rounds “upstairs.” Building codes would have to specify deflection so you can start looking into the matter by asking about the deflection requirement.
Lastly, have you decided on the means of access to the mezzanine? Before you get hung up with the idea of a spiral staircase, consider all possible alternatives first.
These and many other considerations must be addressed during the design phase. If you want the platform area to work out as expected, it should be planned according to relevant building codes and executed to perfection.
