The general rule of thumb is to allow 175 to 250 usable square feet per person
depending upon the type and style of the business. This figure can vary based
upon special needs such as extra-large conference rooms or storage requirements,
but will include normal amenities within a general use office. For an accurate
determination of space requirements, an office space planner should be
consulted.
The following standards can be used to help estimate the amount of usable space
required for your business.
Typical President' s office or Chairman of the Board
250 to 400 sq.
ft. (4 to 5 windows in length)
Typical Vice-President' s Office
150 to 250 sq. ft. (3 to 4 windows
in length)
Typical Executive' s Office
100 to 150 sq. ft. (2 widows in
length)
Partitioned Open Space
Clerical Supervisor or Manager 80 to 110
sq. ft.
Open Space
Clerical or Secretary 60 to 110 sq. ft.
Conference Rooms
15 sq. ft. per person: theater style
25 to 30
sq. ft. per person: conference seating
Mail Room
8 to 9 ft. wide with 30" counters on either side.
Length depends upon amount of usage
Reception Area
125 to 200 sq. ft. Receptionist and 2 - 4 people
200 to 300 sq. ft. Receptionist and 6 - 8 people
File Room
7 sq. ft. per file with a 3' to 4' aisle width
Library
Allow 12" for bookshelf width
175 to 450 sq. ft.
with seating for 4 - 6
Lunch Rooms
15 sq. ft. per person, not including kitchen. Kitchen
should be 1/3 to 1/2 of seating area
Clerical Pool Areas
80 to 100 sq. ft. per person
Corridors
20% to 30% of the total usable area
Coat Closets
1 lineal ft. for 4 coats 3 per person
Water Coolers/Drinking Fountains
1 unit per 75 employees
Suggested Column Spacing
28' to 30' per bay
Suggested Window Mullion Spacing
4'6" to 5'. This determines
office width