In real estate and construction, BUA and GFA are terms used to describe different measures of a building's area, each serving specific purposes in planning, valuation, and design.
1. BUA - Built-Up Area
The Built-Up Area refers to the total area covered by a building, including both internal and external spaces. It typically includes:
- Covered areas such as rooms, walls, and staircases.
- External areas like balconies, terraces, and roof or covered common areas.
Key Points:
- Includes all usable and non-usable spaces within the building envelope.
- Often used in property sales or leases to give a holistic idea of the space available.
- Does not include open spaces like gardens or parking areas unless specifically covered.
2. GFA - Gross Floor Area
The Gross Floor Area refers to the total area of all floors in a building, including internal walls and structural elements but excluding certain external and non-livable spaces. It typically includes:
- Floor areas inside walls.
- Spaces used for commercial, residential, or utility purposes.
Key Points:
- Excludes spaces like balconies, terraces, and roofed-over outdoor spaces.
- Typically used for zoning regulations, building permits, and property valuation.
Differences Between BUA and GFA:
| Aspect |
BUA |
GFA |
| Definition |
Includes all covered areas |
Includes internal floor spaces |
| External Spaces |
Includes covered balconies/terraces |
Excludes balconies/terraces |
| Purpose |
For marketing and sales purposes |
For planning and compliance purposes |
| Focus |
Overall built space |
Usable internal floor space |
FAR (Floor Area Ratio):
FAR (Floor Area Ratio) is typically calculated using the formula:
FAR = BUA (Built-Up Area) / Plot Size
Where:
- BUA (Built-Up Area) is the total floor area of all buildings constructed on the plot.
- Plot Size is the total area of the land on which the buildings are constructed.
The FAR indicates how much construction is allowed on a given plot of land. For example, an FAR of 1.5 means that the total built-up area can be up to 1.5 times the size of the plot.
Why It Matters:
- BUA is often higher than GFA, as it considers all covered areas.
- Real estate agents use BUA to highlight the total "living space," while developers and architects rely on GFA to adhere to regulatory and zoning limits.
It’s essential to know the difference between BUA and GFA when buying plots for villas or buildings in Dubai to prevent any mistakes, learn more details here.