Interstitial Space

Published February 2000

A building design concept whereby open work space and flexibility in space usage and utility reconfigurations for a given building shell is maximized by locating utilities between floors, i.e., "interstitially." Vertical clearances for interstitial space vary typically from 6 to 10 feet depending on the quality, sophistication and access requirements of building utilities. Fast-track construction is possible with interstitial space because different trades can work simultaneously in the same space, reducing total labor hours. Interstitial space minimizes lab downtime because time-consuming modifications and repairs do not take place in the laboratory. There is a tendency in interstitial design to think that utilities can be run any place and the design will somehow work out right. This is a false premise. The truth is that utilities must be carefully zoned. Furthermore, the construction manager or contractor has to serve duty as a drill sergeant to indoctrinate the trades and make sure that utilities are installed in the proper zones. See also Epistitial Space.