One of the essential key variables that affects the level of productivity and comfortability of the employees is the physical working environment and spaces. It is one of the vital factors that you must consider in starting your business operations as providing a good working environment makes your workers do their job efficiently and effectively. Afterall, your workplace is considered as your people’s second home so you must make it a space that is highly habitable.
To build your office space, you must understand the standard handover conditions that are available in the Philippine office market -- Bare Shell and Warm Shell. In this article, to help us define the two is our CRE broker Kim Camarse, who has been in practice for 8 years in the Philippines.
Warm Shell vs. Bare Shell
According to Ms. Camarse, to describe a typical warm-shell handover in the Philippines is to see a cold shell of open space with a fully functional ceiling, smooth flooring that is ready to receive carpet tiles, and white painted walls.
Warm Shell Property
In contrast is a bare-shell which is also a shell of open space but with an open ceiling, rough flooring, and unpainted walls. There may be some mechanicals in place such as AC units, lighting fixtures, but it may be as minimal as possible which is only fire protection.
Bare Shell Property
Summary Comparison of Bare Shell and Warm Shell
Bare Shell | Warm Shell |
Can be with/without AC | Has AC units in place |
No functional ceiling in place but includes fire protection as its a mandate by LGUs | Functional ceilings with acoustic boards, t-runners, lighting, fresh air supply |
Rough cement flooring | Smooth cement/Ready to receive carpet tiles |
Unpainted walls | White-painted walls |
No plumbing in place | Finished plumbing |
Advantages
Bare Shell and Warm Shell Properties both have their advantages and disadvantages, it just depends on the needs of the occupier.
For Warm Shell, occupiers need less fit-out cost if their desig