Horizontal+Circulation



The design of horizontal circulation frequently determines the basic shape and character of the entire structure. There four practical requirements of any horizontal circulation system:
 * The first one is that it can be adequate in size.
 * The second requirement in circulation design is that of directness, a good circulation plan should work well in either direction.
 * The third requirement in circulation design is that points of converging traffic must be expressed, specially to indicate the facilities for rapid exits. The fourth requirement is that changes in level must be clearly expressed.

Prof. Watanabe mention three examples to illustrate different horizontal circulation patterns, one is Pennsylvania Station in New York, because it is an excellent example of a spacious, broad and direct circulation. The second is Centrosoyus Building in Moscow of Le Corbusier, because the circulation patterns are vague and signs or direction marks would be necessary to indicate whether one should go. And the last is Palais de Justice in Paris, because the circulation gives pattern, unity and clarity to the building as a whole by the architects superb handling of the magnificent space through corridors which tie together its great public rooms.

The concept of horizontal circulation is important in an architectural design because it is able to establish the relationship between the parts and the whole, and between the circulation pattern itself and the general sense and form of the entire structure.