# Glossary

<details>

<summary>What does GEA mean?</summary>

GEA stands for Gross External Area. It is the total floor area measured to the external face of the perimeter walls. GEA includes all enclosed spaces within a building, including common areas, service areas, lift lobbies and stairwells. It is the largest area measurement and is commonly used for construction cost estimates and building valuations.

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<details>

<summary>What does NIA mean?</summary>

NIA stands for Net Internal Area. It is the usable floor area measured to the internal face of the perimeter walls, excluding common areas, structural columns, lift lobbies, stairwells and service risers. NIA is the area typically used for lease negotiations, space planning and occupancy calculations. In laiout, the efficiency percentage shows NIA as a proportion of GEA.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is a test-fit?</summary>

A test-fit is a preliminary floor plan layout that shows how a specific occupier's requirements (desk count, meeting rooms, breakout areas, etc.) would fit into a given floor plate. Traditionally, test-fits are produced by architects and take one to three weeks per iteration. laiout automates this process, generating multiple test-fit options in seconds.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is a space programme?</summary>

A space programme (also called a brief or requirements list) is the document that specifies what an occupier needs in their workspace: the number of desks, types and quantities of meeting rooms, breakout areas, private offices, and any other space requirements. In laiout, you enter your space programme through the Preferences panel.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is a tenancy split?</summary>

A tenancy split (or multi-tenancy configuration) divides a single floor plate into separate tenancy areas, each with its own entrance, corridor and layout. This is common in buildings where a landlord leases different portions of a floor to different tenants. In laiout, the Multi-Tenancy feature lets you draw tenancy boundaries and generate independent layouts for each area.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to edit and manage multi tenancy areas and floors](https://youtu.be/MPWJOF7qDwg)

</details>

<details>

<summary>What does density mean in space planning?</summary>

Density refers to the amount of floor area allocated per person, typically expressed in square metres per person (sqm/pax) or square feet per person (sqft/pax). Lower numbers mean more people per unit of space (higher density), while higher numbers provide more space per person (lower density). Common office densities range from 6 to 14 sqm per person depending on the workplace strategy. In laiout, you set your target density in the Preferences panel.

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is a shared link?</summary>

A shared link is a URL generated from a saved favourite in laiout that allows anyone with the link to view the floor plan layout, 3D model and statistics in their web browser without needing a laiout account. Shared links can be restricted by email whitelist, given expiry dates, and embedded into websites via iframe.

**Video guide:** [laiout lessons - How to create and share live links to your stakeholders](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLPJdFBqEC0)

</details>

<details>

<summary>What is an overlay?</summary>

An overlay is a reference drawing (PDF, JPG or PNG) that you upload on top of your floor plan in laiout. It allows you to compare your generated layout against an existing design, engineering drawing, ceiling plan or any other reference. You can adjust the overlay's transparency to see both layers simultaneously.

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***

## Video guides

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPWJOF7qDwg>" %}


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