Unlocking Office Building Feasibility with TestFit: A Real-World Case Example

AI for Architecture | Architecture | Interior | Revit | Space design

 

Introduction

Commercial office development is one of the most challenging asset classes to evaluate. Between zoning regulations, floor area ratios (FAR), parking requirements, and tenant efficiency standards, feasibility studies can take weeks and cost thousands in unbillable hours.

TestFit changes that. By combining generative design with real-time data, TestFit allows developers, architects, and brokers to test site viability in minutes—not weeks.

This blog walks through a detailed commercial office case example, showing how TestFit streamlines feasibility, generates alternative schemes, and provides investors with immediate, data-backed insights.

Why TestFit for Commercial Office?

• Rapid Massing Studies – Instantly test FAR, setbacks, and building height limits.
• Accurate Floor Plates – Align rentable square footage with leasing standards.
• Integrated Parking – Podium or underground parking auto-generated to meet code.
• Client-Ready Visuals – 2D site maps and 3D context views at the click of a button.

Case Example: Downtown Infill Office Site

Scenario:
A developer owns a 1.5-acre parcel in a central business district. They want to know if the site can support a Class A office building with ground-floor retail and enough parking to attract high-value tenants.

Site Conditions:

• Zoning: 6.0 FAR, max height 200 ft
• Setbacks: 15 ft street frontage, 10 ft rear
• Parking: 1 stall per 1,000 sq ft office
• Goal: 200,000 sq ft office + 10,000 sq ft retail

Step 1: Generate Layout Options

Within minutes, TestFit generates two viable schemes:

Option A – Podium Tower

• 8-story podium with integrated parking (420 stalls).
• 12 office stories above podium (210,000 NRSF).
• Ground-floor retail units activating the main street.

Option B – Slim Tower with Underground Parking

• Narrower 15-story office tower.
• 2 levels of below-grade parking (300 stalls).
• Creates space for a landscaped public plaza.

Step 2: Real-Time Metrics

TestFit calculates key numbers instantly:

No manual spreadsheets, no CAD cleanup—just clear, investor-ready data.

Step 3: Visualize in Context

Developers can immediately see:

• 2D Site Plan: Layout of office footprint, podium parking, and retail frontage.
• 3D Context Massing: Tower height vs. neighboring buildings.
• Sun/Shadow Studies: Exportable for design development.

Step 4: Decision & Next Steps

Instead of waiting weeks for feasibility drawings, the developer:

• Chooses Option A (Podium Tower) for its higher rentable area and larger parking count.
• Exports PDF reports with site plans, metrics, and test fits.
• Shares visuals with investors the same day—accelerating decision-making and reducing risk.

Key Benefits Recap

• Speed: Feasibility in hours, not weeks.
• Accuracy: Real-time FAR, parking, and efficiency calculations.
• Engagement: Live design iterations with clients and investors.
• Scalability: Works for CBD towers, suburban campuses, or mixed-use office/retail.

Conclusion

TestFit is more than a massing tool—it’s a feasibility accelerator for office development. By integrating zoning, parking, and rentable space metrics into real-time design workflows, it empowers developers to:

✅ Make faster, data-driven decisions
✅ Present polished options to investors early
✅ Explore creative schemes without extra cost