Strip light generally is not a good choice for ambiant light and the height of the ceiling and where you place lighting all has to come into play.The reason troffer lighting is used is because it is so efficient at lighting large commercial space with good lighting.

You need pictures. Is there a lot of natural light from windows? If not, I'd recommend a white ceiling. What color is the ceiling? What color is the glulam? What will the desk look like? A wood desk or a metal one? Ditto shelving.

What does your architect recommend? Some ceiling, wall and floor decisions will affect the noise level; OSHA has standards for employee safety.

I will work to get some very quickly drawn CAD models just to get the idea. As for pro design work, NOPE! This is a machine shop, and the office space will be used pretty much ZERO, as in no employees in there! Only time the space really gets used is the little kitchen area, bathroom, my office, and if I have 1-2 guys out for a very brief chat, in which we always migrate right to the shop floor anyway. Are std troffer lights really it? Nothing else that brings a modern look? That is so 80s! I'm just asking!

OK, I added a couple very quick pics. Please excuse things like window type, floor, furnishings, etc. I just grabbed some things to study the general layout. This generally fits my needs with the way the space gets used. I realize it isn't 'proper' to enter into a meeting room, but I can't waste valuable space for something that is rarely used. 95% of our business is not conducted in person, and generally never meet anyway. In short, it won't matter.

Though there will be an additional 2nd floor kitchen and bath, I want to make sure main level kitchen/bath can be accessed from the shop with minimal meeting room disruption. My office is #1, which faces the front of building, so I can monitor any traffic while working. The wall for the bath and kitchen, I want to make that sort of a focal point, with a different color, and probably either our logo, light accent, or something, but that again won't change the bottom line.

After seeing the layout and more info I do not understand this need for a space you will not use much. The meeting room is huge , do you plan staff meetings often in there ? It seems most are carried out in the shop. To enter into a business to a meeting room is odd . I see no sink in the bathroom and that bathroom again in a space accessed trhough the meeting room. I think you need to get a good interior designer to help with this . The bathroom IMO should be in the shop area for the workers on the work floor not needed for them in this space at all.

I just have a few questions. Where would the stairs go to the second floor? Will you have to go outside from the shop to get into the office/meeting area? Do you need a waiting room?, coat/shoe storage? storage for office supplies? locked storage for things like payroll? Just one comment would be you need to walk quite far to get a cup of coffee from your office.

I appreciate the replies. I will answer some of the questions, and I am open to other ideas.

1. Meeting room size. The general idea is keep things open and let future business dictate how /when to change the space. One consideration is expanding and adding 1-2 offices.

2. I purposely have not installed many furnishings as the CAD work is just for space planning right now. Yes, there would things like a sink and even cabinets in the bathroom, while retaining ADA size constraints just to be safe.

3. Bath access. The one pictured is the 'office' bath. It is not intended for continuous use by workers, but can be in a 'pinch'....lol. General bath will be upstairs where there will be another kitchen and break room. Max workers in that entire building will be 5!

4. Other general considerations. Our business is highly automated, some work from home type stuff, etc. This shop will never be buzing with people. As for any meetings, any meeting is scheduled and I greet them personally at the door.

5. Filing and such. I put a small cubby into the bathroom wall to use for the printer but will add more space. Most of our stuff will just end up in lateral cabinets spread between the two offices. Why? Because any meeting in my own office would be rare. I look at 3 computer screens and talk on the phone.

6 Stairs for 2nd floor. The exact layout is not decided but what is, is the upstairs plumbing will roughly mimic the main floor to keep plumbing work minimal. For a rough idea, you could nearly mirror the bathroom upstairs. The 2nd floor is primarily for storage, including more files, tools, equipment, etc. that keeps it all out of sight, clean, uncluttered.

Stairs will need to be addressed. If there will be tools and equipment on the second floor would it be better for it to be accessed from the shop? I'm picturing how a lot of businesses are set up. They often have a coffee/water station for clients and a reception desk area (even when not manned they house the printer etc out of sight). Did you want to make your bathroom wheelchair accessible? - it might need more manuvering space if you do. Do you need a full kitchen? Do you need a stove and oven or just a microwave? Do you need a full refridgerator?