This metric was at least straightforward for me to solve. I think this may be influenced by not having division and (at least for me) being easy to tweak to see changes. Adding area and instruction period can be done with a single part or a single instruction.

There's definitely a way to do this with fewer bonders to save some area. I'm sad about the extra hex I used because there used to be an arm there but it was optimized away. A better solution with a 3-period tape is definitely possible.