The idea was exactly to change the pace of the game and provide variation. The level was also intended to build tension for the narrative structere as that is the penultimate level and the last one in which the characters are still trapped inside the building before their escape.
Throughly searching the level was actually something we had not thought the players would be doing in the level. Thank you for pointing out your experiences. If we will ever continue the project, I'll take these comments into account.
Thanks for taking interest in the game. I hope you enjoyed the other levels!