Yours is a horror story about why non-architects absolutely must not attempt retrofitting abandoned warehouses into startup workplaces. The bullshit of calling

Yours is a horror story about why non-architects absolutely must not attempt retrofitting abandoned warehouses into startup workplaces. The bullshit of calling it an "open-plan" office space is twofold: 1) there was obviously no actual plan to ensure the building was a healthy environment for human occupants and 2) you're describing a literal very large, closed box. Yikes. I'm sorry that you had to experience that. edit: I'm assuming the building you described used to be a warehouse. Obviously, I might be very wrong.