Office building efficiency and capacity benchmarks

Purpose - As corporate real estate is increasingly being recognised as an important cost and production factor, senior management now pays considerable attention to this asset group. These assets are managed, inter alia, by using benchmarks. In addition to monetary benchmarks, building efficiency (e.g. m(2) of usable floor area per m(2) of gross external floor area) and capacity benchmarks in particular (e.g. m(2) of usable floor area per existing workplace) must be highlighted. Previously, specific values and their drivers for the assessment of buildings or portfolios were not available. Design/methodology/approach - This study is based on a survey carried out in Switzerland, involving the collection of floor data (in accordance with DIN 277) of 116 owner-operated office buildings. In addition, their drivers were ascertained using regression analyses. Findings - The building efficiency may be assessed on the basis of the share of usable floor area or the share of office space in the gross external floor area. The main drivers are the shares of vehicle parking space, areas for residential and recreational purposes and areas for storage, distribution and retail. These drivers must be taken into consideration when assessing the building efficiency. It became apparent that capacity benchmarks are determined primarily by factors such as the space use management strategies, and only to a lesser degree by the building itself. Originality/value - The study provides space benchmarks and their drivers. The results therefore permit an objective evaluation of office buildings. However, further work transcending the influence of the building itself will be required with regard to the capacity benchmarks.