ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the technical aspects of seating layouts and circulation. Together with the discussion of audience sightlines, it forms the practical basis for the design of auditoriums, and discusses a theoretical basis for auditorium design. It starts with a discussion with the audience member seated in the auditorium. Most patrons in most auditoriums sit in chairs fastened to the building. Auditorium chairs are field assembled from component parts, usually standard cataloged parts. Chair backs and seats are manufactured in a range of widths used to create horizontal stagger between successive chair rows. Chair envelope is simply the front-to-back dimension of the chair, measured "plumb line to plumb line". The seating layout must satisfy several additional objectives with respect to the wheelchair seating. Handrails are required on ramps and stairs for the safety and convenience of building occupants, including on ramped aisles and aisle stairs.
