@sorlanda wrote in with this question:
This is a great example of only using the information that the scenario provides, and nothing more. It’s natural for us, as designers, to think about additional factors and add external assumptions to a situation - however, for ARE purposes, remember that you are to work with what you have. There is no lobby area mentioned in the scenario, so you would calculate the occupancy based only on the programmatic spaces that are listed.
If a lobby were mentioned, you would consider its use in the project and program to determine if and how it is calculated for occupancy - and the ARE would specify this. For example, if a lobby had seating areas - you would likely classify this as “assembly without fixed seats - unconcentrated.” However, if the lobby were used solely for circulation (i.e. part of the exit passageway), it would not be counted towards occupancy.
Hope this helps!
Kiara Galicinao, AIA, NCARB
Product Coordinator
Black Spectacles