Bauraums

Bauraum is a term used in German-speaking architecture and construction to denote the space allocated for building activities, installations, and occupant use. The concept covers two related meanings: the external space on a building site that determines how much can be built (the buildable volume under planning rules) and the internal cavities and rooms within a building that house services and equipment, such as service shafts, ducts, stairwells, maintenance corridors, and mechanical rooms.

External Bauraum refers to the buildable volume or floor area permitted by planning regulations, including footprint, height, and density limits, and is often described through planning terms related to zoning and building rights. Internal Bauraum refers to the spaces inside a structure reserved for utilities and access, where adequate height, width, and clearance are required to install and maintain systems and to ensure fire safety and accessibility.

Design and construction require careful allocation of Bauraum to balance usable living or working space with necessary service zones. In early planning, engineers and architects calculate Bauraum to accommodate mechanical systems, electrical distribution, plumbing, and maintenance needs, while complying with safety standards and accessibility rules. The term emphasizes the need to integrate structural, civil, and architectural requirements with practical access for installation, inspection, and operation.

Because Bauraum is context-dependent, its exact meaning varies by country, project type, and contractual language. It is commonly used in German-language planning documents and contracts and is often translated as buildable space, construction space, or build volume in English-language texts. See also related concepts such as gross floor area, floor space index, and building envelope.