Many factors determine design of ultimate trading floor

Real Estate Weekly, Nov 13, 1996 by Ted Moudis

Additionally, given the density of people in a trading room, the architect might need to verify and/or amend the certificate of occupancy for the trading floor if necessary.

Narrowing the Field, Expanding the Details

Armed with information about every possible space requirement, the real estate broker and client are able to narrow the field of potential relocation sites considerably. While the architect and the rest of the team can provide help in evaluating and weighing the pros and cons of each finalist, the tenant has the facts and knowledge to make an intelligent, comfortable decision. There may be times when the economics of a deal are so good that a tenant might throw caution to the wind, but in most cases these days, the technological needs are so sophisticated and potentially expensive that many factors beyond price-per-square-foot are taken into consideration.

Once the lease is signed, the design team and consultants begin the design development phase of the relocation. In the case of operations with trading floors, special consideration must be taken to ensure the comfort of traders. Selecting the right chair alone could take hours of research and custom testing. This is also the point when consultants in acoustics, lighting and air conditioning earn their mettle.

A trading floor, where shouting is the natural or necessary form of communication, acoustical engineering can make a real difference to the environment. Many firms take special pains and costs to install acoustical ceiling treatment (coffered/vaulted ceilings) and fabric wrapped acoustical panels, in addition to intercom systems which serve to lower the noise level.

Lighting consultants are also an integral part of the design process, trying to maximize visibility while minimizing glare on computer screens. The ideal trading room is an interior environment where sun glare can be controlled. But it's not often you'll find a trading floor in a basement. Rather, trading floors are often proudly displayed in windowed areas with views. And, while natural light is a commodity in any office environment, window treatments are necessary to control the sunlight and glare it casts. When not focused on sunlight, lighting designers must also research indirect electrical light alternatives that increase visibility with the least amount of harshness and glare.

Air conditioning, especially in a setting flooded with natural light and the heat it generates, must also be controlled meticulously. The ideal trading floor is equipped with not only the proper amount of cooling, but also the right number of temperature controls. The goal is to strive for conformity in temperature. The more zones an area can be broken down into, the better. But also, the more zones, the greater the expense.

In each of these situations and countless others, consultants and the designer must educate the tenant on the numerous options and costs connected to each selection. In this way, the client can weigh costs against comfort up front and make intelligent, informed decisions that will provide flexibility and serve the company well for as long as possible within the established budget.