Using the Area tab in an Estimate

With Ediphi, estimates are generated using parametric design data (Area Sheets) and linked to dynamic formulas that are resistant to errors. This approach ensures the stability of the estimates, unlike in Excel. By utilizing project area information (e.g. number of floors, perimeter, floor to ceiling height), we are able to populate manageable units of scope (e.g. unit mix, systems), referred to as "estimating components" in Ediphi, while adhering to the building’s geometry constraints.

This functionality enables users to save time during the collaborative design process and prevents costly mistakes when manually entering quantities. Users can utilize Ediphi’s area sheets to promptly adapt to design changes. For instance, adding a floor or modifying the floor height will automatically update the entire estimate across all estimating components.

In this article, we will review the basic functionality of the Area tab in Ediphi. Please navigate to the side panel and select Estimate, then Area Sheet. Once there, you will notice the area sheet and a number of tabs to the right such as Active Floor, Façade, Structure, and Vertical Transportation.

For basic usage, the key areas to focus on are the options within the area sheet such as Below Grade, Above Grade, and Features. Here, you can begin to define the various aspects of your building, such as whether it includes below grade floors, above grade floors, or features like soffits or other structures. 

The other area to focus on is in Façade. Every floor that you remove will have a Perimeter, and a Floor to Floor, which will provide us with our Gross Façade and assist us when we are calculating different aspects of the building later on. 

The next step is to proceed to the takeoff to obtain the necessary measurements for input into the area sheet. In this instance, the takeoff has already been completed and the area and perimeter for our Use Group have been documented: there is a gross area of 20,000 sq ft and a total linear footage of perimeter of 1,000 lf. It is assumed that, for this example, there is a floor to floor height of 15 ft in this building. This process should be carried out for every floor in our project where this use group is applicable, and the obtained measurements should be entered into our area sheet.

In Ediphi, there is a feature that allows users to select a box or cell, upon which a handle appears in the corner of the box. This enables users to replicate a value across different sections. For instance, in Apartments, one can use the handle to drag and copy the value to other locations within the application:

In addition to dragging, you can also copy and paste by using the keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, similar to Excel. Once all the values from our takeoff are added, our area sheet should resemble the following:

A couple more things to note:

• The Active Floor tab enables you to select or deselect any below grade, above grade, or features as active floors.
• The Structure tab enables you to input the Gross Structure of each floor, if applicable.
• The Vertical Transportation tab allows you to add any form of vertical transportation such as stairs, elevators, or escalators to your area sheet.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact our support team and we’ll be happy to help!