networking within a wireless network

I want to network a desktop and a laptop that are in an apartment that already has a general wireless building system. I understand that I could adhoc the two to network, but what I had in mind was to hardwire the desktop to some type of wireless router in repeater mode and that the laptop would still be able to network the desktop. Or is just using the general network and setting up a windows workgroup the way to go? Thanks for the clarification on if I need routers/bridges or what not!