To find the area of a rectangle, you can use the formula:
\[ \text{Area} = \text{length} \times \text{width} \]
From the dimensions given (8 ft and 5.5 ft), we will consider 8 ft as the length and 5.5 ft as the width.
Now calculate the area:
\[ \text{Area} = 8 , \text{ft} \times 5.5 , \text{ft} = 44 , \text{ft}^2 \]
So, the area is \( 44 , \text{ft}^2 \).