Al Marjan Island – Area Calculation Guideline
Area Calculation Guideline:
There are 4no. categories of area that need to be calculated by the consultant.
These are as follows:
o Category A: Useable Area
o Category B: Balcony Area
o Category C: Services Area
o Category D: Circulation Area
Further categories calculated automatically through the Al Marjan Submission
Excel file:
o Leasable Area = Category A + Category B
o Gross Floor Area = Category A + Category D
o Built Up Area = Category A + Category B + Category C + Category D
Please refer to the diagrams overleaf for visual examples demonstrating how the
4no. Main area categories are to be calculated.
Area Calculation Submission to Al Marjan Island
During the design review process the area calculations for the proposed building
must be submitted for review and approval by Al Marjan Island LLC.
Area Review Submission Includes :
o All floor plans – One plan per sheet
o Each plan to include the following:
- Poly lines & coloured hatching as per the attached samples
- GFA summary table placed on each sheet
o Both PDF and CAD of the afore mentioned shall be submitted for review.
o Filled Summary table as per the template provided by Al Marjan Island.
General Definitions
GFA (Gross Floor Area):
The sum of the gross floor areas of all the floors (except basement levels)
of a building measured from the exterior walls or from the centrelines of
common walls joining two spaces.
FAR (Floor Area Ratio):
The floor area ratio of a building or other structure on any lot is
determined by dividing the gross floor area of such building by the area of
the lot on which it is located. When more than one building or structure is
located on lot then the floor area ratio is determined by dividing the total
floor area of all buildings or structure by the lot area.
Total BUA (Built up Area):
Built up area or construction Area for cost calculation determined by the
slab area measured to the exterior surface of the exterior walls, excluding
all shaft openings and any type of slab void. The BUA should include
balconies, terraces, garages, and service areas.
Area Category Definitions
1. USABLE AREA:
Total area of all enclosed spaces fulfilling the main functional requirements
of the building for occupant use, including and not limited to service areas
such as guard rooms, workshops, locker rooms, janitors, closets,
storerooms, and the total area of all toilets and washroom facilities.
2. CIRCULATION AREA:
Total area of all enclosed spaces which is required for physical access to
subdivisions of space such as and not limited to corridors, elevator shafts,
escalators, fire towers or stairs, stairwells, elevator entrances, public
lobbies.
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 Al Marjan Island – Area Calculation Guideline

3. SERVICE AREA: Floor Area Excluded from GFA include:

Total area of all enclosed spaces designed to house mechanical and 1. Basement if used only for parking, and mechanical services.
electrical equipment and utility services such as and not limited to 2. Elevator shafts (must be calculated once in GFA at ground floor).
mechanical and electrical equipment rooms, duct shafts, boiler rooms, fuel 3. Storage in basement floors.
rooms, and mechanical service shafts. 4. Mechanical ducts or chases.
5. Garbage room and chute.
4. BALCONY AREA: 6. Prayer rooms + ablution areas.
7. Balconies.
Total area of an open or covered platform attached to an upper floor of a
building, projecting from or recessed into the face of the wall and In line with the principles mentioned, the following areas area however
protected by railing or balustrade; accessible from an adjacent room. partially counted as GFA:

Method of Calculation:
BUA (Built up Area):
The sum of areas categories, A+B+C+D plus the area of all factored non-
and semi enclosed areas equal the built up area of a building.
Gross Floor Area (GFA) for FAR calculation:
The sum of area categories A+D equal the gross floor area of a building.
For determining FAR the measurement of the GFA to be used shall include
the floor area devoted to:
1. Any occupiable spaces in basement floors: The sum of area category
A+D to be counted in GFA in basements and parking levels, such as
and not limited to: hotel back -of-house, facility management offices,
workshops, kitchen, pantry, staffroom, changing room, dining room.
And any circulation spaces and lobbies that are attached to any
occupiable space etc ... )
2. Storage in basement floor - This applies only to air- conditioned
storages in basement floors.
3. Health Club/ GYM: This applies to facilities intended for indoor sports
or exercise. Gyms are sometimes referred to as health clubs.

1. Attic space with a headroom of 2.15 meters ( 7 feet) or more,

2. Mezzanines Floors,
3. Enclosed porches.
4. Floor area devoted to accessory use. E) Fire exits staircases.

The floor area measured in case of two spaces with a common wall
(usable/ service): The gross floor area should be measured from the centre
of the wall.

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 Al Marjan Island – Area Calculation Guideline

AREA CALCULATION
A B C D E=A+B F=A+D G=E+C+D

FLOOR Useable Area Balcony Services Circulation Leasable (GFA) Gross Floor Area (BUA) Built Up Area

m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2
Basement 1 0 -0 0 0 0 0 0

Lifts to shafts to be included

in the area calculation on the
floor which the lift begins
SAMPLE - BASEMENT LAYOUT Page 3 of 5
 Al Marjan Island – Area Calculation Guideline

AREA CALCULATION
A B C D E=A+B F=A+D G=E+C+D

FLOOR Useable Area Balcony Services Circulation Leasable (GFA) Gross Floor Area (BUA) Built Up Area

m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2
Level 3 0 -0 0 0 0 0 0

SAMPLE - TYPICAL LAYOUT Page 4 of 5

 Al Marjan Island – Area Calculation Guideline

AREA CALCULATION
A B C D E=A+B F=A+D G=E+C+D

FLOOR Useable Area Balcony Services Circulation Leasable (GFA) Gross Floor Area (BUA) Built Up Area

m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2
Roof Level 0 -0 0 0 0 0 0

SAMPLE - ROOF LAYOUT Page 5 of 5