Vertical+&+Horizontal+Circulation

VERTICALCirculation Before going any further with the definition of horizontal, it is important to have a basic idea of what circulation is. According to the architect Ching, circulation is the “movement through space”.

As its names implies, Horizontal circulation is the movement through a horizontal dimension.

**The design of a horizontal circulation determines** the character of the entire structure.

**The four practical Requirements of any horizontal circulation system mentioned in the lecture are** 1.- Buildings need and adequate size related to its uses.

2.- A good circulation plan should work well in either direction

3.- It is important to express the traffic convergences, especially in the design of fast exits.

4.- Changes in levels must be Cleary expressed.

In the lecture, Prof Watanabe mentions the Pennsylvania Station in New York, Centro Souyuz in Moscow and the Palaces of Justice in Paris in order to illustrate different patterns of horizontal circulation.

**Why is the concept of Horizontal Circulation important in any urban plan or architectural design?**

Because is like a tool for the architect that helps to define the course of a building and organize its structures and spaces. It is vital for the architect to establish a good circulation because spaces within the building can change over time, but the circulation between them will remain.