What should the seat layout plan be like?

Hall architecture is often planned with big headings: capacity, acoustics, stage size, number of seats... However, at the intersection of these headings, a vital detail is often overlooked: Seats. placement.

This article deals with the technical principles regarding in what order, at what intervals and with what inclination the seats should be placed, especially in conference, theater and multi-purpose hall projects. It is the essential reference for architects, investors, practitioners and public procurement officials.

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1. Viewing Angle: Comes Before the Number of Seats This difference is dramatic, especially in projection halls and stage plays. rules:

Height difference between rows of seats must be at least 12 cm (inverted tribune error should not be done).

The cone of vision between the head level of the viewer in the front row and the eye line in the back row should not be cut.

Seats located at angles exceeding 15 degrees relative to the central axis will not affect the stage experience.

If there are load-bearing columns or protrusions in the hall, it is tested in a simulation environment, not in a drawing, to see whether they create an obstacle to vision.

Especially in low-slope halls, each row must progress without overlapping the previous one. Otherwise, when the hall is full, 30-40% of the audience cannot see the stage fully. Acoustic Performance: It's Not Just About the Wall, It's Also About the Seat However, the material type of the seats, seating depth, space between rows and hall geometry also directly affect the sound behavior. elements:

Seat back height is controlled according to the sound propagation angles.

As the space between rows of seats increases, reflection and dispersion properties increase. varies.

The acoustics of an empty hall and a full hall are different; seat upholstery should be dense enough to reduce this difference.

Especially in symmetrical halls, seat arrangement may disrupt the acoustic balance; Therefore, a row-specific calculation must be made.

So just "where will there be seats?" but "what type of seat, what fabric and what density will it be?" questions should also be a part of the plan.

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3. Escape Plan and Security Order: A Responsibility Beyond Regulation Compliance However, in practice, even if these rules are followed, halls are built that cannot be evacuated.

Critical technical points. are:

If both ends of a 12-person row of seats are not open, the person in the middle will be able to reach the emergency position in an average of 7 seconds.

Main walkways cannot be narrower than 120 cm, but the transitions between seats are parallel to this width. It must be planned.

Wheelchair areas should not only be separated; These areas should be tested in real scenarios.

Halls are not only aesthetic; It should be planned to allow rapid, unobstructed and safe evacuation in case of emergency. Settlement Strategy Varies Depending on Hall Type For this reason, seat placement is not "uniform" but requires special calculation according to the purpose of the hall:

Conference hall: Focused on stage speech, central vision and clear sound distribution priority.

Theater hall: A semicircle according to the actor's stage movements. array, special slope.

Multi-purpose hall: Mobile systems, foldable seats, platform variability.

Cinema hall: Visual depth priority, steeply inclined tribune system and controlled light areas.

The layout plan is not together with the architectural design, but with the technical consultancy process. must be prepared.

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