While looking for a space to buy or rent, you must have heard of the term “Gross Area.” Architects and designers take a number of factors into consideration when creating a building. One of the most important factors is the Gross Area.
Gross Area is nothing but the overall area across a masonry unit that comprises common circulation sections like emergency stairways, hallways, lobbies, lifts, ventilation areas like common balconies, etc. Both open and usable spaces as well as spaces that are currently closed off or unavailable for use are included in this.
While there are many different reasons to calculate gross area, they frequently have to do with redesigning the interior plan or with performing an evaluation before putting the space up for sale. When it comes to paying the facility property taxes, the quantity of space or area involved is utterly crucial.
Gross Area is measured in Square Feet. It is calculated by physically measuring or scaling the space from outside wall faces, excluding pilasters, cornices, buttresses, and other architectural features that extend beyond the wall faces.
Measured in terms of Gross Square Feet (GSF) = Structural Space + Net Usable Area
Gross Area should include interstitial space like the mechanical floor or walkways, excavated basement areas, Penthouses, Garages, Mezzanines, Covered porches, whether walled or not, Attics, walled or non-walled corridors or walkways. If they are used for operational purposes, walled or unwalled inner or outer balconies must be included in the calculation. The inner or outer balconies will be considered to the extent of a drip line from a roof or balcony directly above, if it is within the outside face lines of the building to the extent of the roof drip line. If covered, the measurement of the balconies should be taken to the extent of their cover drip line. The footprints of elevator shafts, stairways, and vertical duct shafts are to be counted on each floor through which they pass.
Areas with less than a 3-foot clear ceiling height must also be excluded while measuring Gross Area unless the criteria of a separate structure are met. Open areas like courts, playing fields, parking lots, pools, light wells, and portions of upper floors are eliminated by spaces or lobbies that rise above single-floor ceiling height. Unexcavated basement areas must also be excluded while calculating the Gross Area of a building.
