Areas

[jfjacques]

Can someone explain why creating an area requires an area plan? Why can't area boundaries be create don the same view - why create a new by default? 

[barthbradley]

Why does it need to be an Area Boundary per se?  There are other methods to create areas. Rooms and Spaces to name two.    

[jfjacques]

Existing rooms pose an issue. Spaces could be used. Areas being on a different sheet still make no sense. 

[syman2000]

Area plan is for you to create different area depending on your city or client requirement. I use it extensively for BOMA calculation. As well client may have different criteria from BOMA and require marketing area. It is customizable to suit your area requirement where room/space won't give you.

[RobDraw]

Why ask why?

[Alfredo_Medina]

In my opinion, it makes sense that areas go in their own separate view, because that view is used for a different purpose in an architectural office: life safety plans. It´s a different view, very important for permit. It has a lot of work, and it´s totally different from regular floor plans.

Another usage of area plans is for showing plans by departments (type of usage, such as commercial, circulation, apartments) which is not for permit but it is sometimes requested by the owner to verify accuracy of the design in relation to the program.

Both of these two usages require area plans, and cannot be done with just floor plans with rooms. 

I hope that explains the "why".