A “universal grid” theory seems to be emerging for academic medical science building planning that says that an optimal planning cube is an 18ft floor-to-floor height and a 30’ x 30’, or 31’6” x  31’6”, 32’ x 32’, or 10meters x 10meters (32.8’ x 32.8’) floor grid.  The idea is that this grid works efficiently for research, teaching, and clinical care functions. Raise this issue at a team planning meeting to stir up a lively discussion. One caveat is that the 30-ft span can make satisfying vibration criteria for advanced instrumentation an expensive proposition (waffle slabs).

- From Tradeline’s Academic Medical Centers 2007 Conference