NCIDQ Interior Design Professional Exam (IDPX) Practice Exam

The gross building area is defined within BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association) standards as the total area of a building, measured to the outside face of the exterior walls. This measurement includes all areas within the building's walls, ensuring that the entire footprint of the structure is accounted for. By measuring to the outside face of the building, BOMA provides a standardized way for owners and tenants to quantify the total usable and rentable space within a building, which is essential for leasing agreements and property management.

This approach simplifies the process of calculating usable area versus total area, providing clarity for occupants regarding what is included in their lease. The other options suggest measurements that would not comprehensively represent the complete extent of the building's area, leading to ambiguities in interpreting the space provided for lease. Thus, measuring to the outside face aligns with industry practices for calculating gross building area effectively.