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The Effect of Building Core Location on Circulation Efficiency

Abstract

The location of the building core is an important consideration in architectural planning because it influences circulation, accessibility, spatial organization, and the efficient use of floor areas. Building cores typically accommodate vertical circulation elements, service shafts, mechanical systems, and other essential facilities that support building operation. Their position within a building can determine the distance users travel between different spaces and the clarity of movement routes. This study examines the effect of building core location on circulation efficiency and evaluates how different core configurations influence movement and functional performance. The study focuses on common core arrangements, including central, eccentric, peripheral, and distributed configurations. Factors such as the location of staircases, lifts, service areas, corridors, and entrances are assessed in relation to the overall building layout. Attention is given to the proximity of the core to major functional spaces and the extent to which its location creates direct, efficient, and understandable circulation routes. These relationships are examined to determine their influence on building accessibility and movement patterns. Circulation efficiency is influenced by travel distances, route directness, connectivity, and the distribution of movement across different areas of a building. A centrally positioned core may provide relatively balanced access to surrounding spaces, while peripheral or eccentric cores may create longer travel routes in some areas. However, the effectiveness of each arrangement depends on building size, geometry, function, occupancy, and the number of circulation points provided. The study therefore considers these factors when assessing the relationship between core location and movement efficiency. The location of the building core also affects the separation and interaction of different circulation types. Public, staff, service, and emergency movement may require different levels of access and control. Poorly located cores can create conflicts between these circulation patterns or result in inefficient connections between service areas and occupied spaces. The study examines how core placement can support appropriate zoning, reduce circulation conflicts, and improve the functional relationships between different parts of a building. Safety and accessibility are additional factors associated with core location. Staircases and lifts must be conveniently positioned to provide equitable access and support effective emergency evacuation. Core placement can also influence wayfinding, particularly in large or multi-storey buildings where users depend on recognizable vertical circulation points. The study therefore evaluates how core location contributes to accessibility, spatial orientation, emergency movement, and overall user experience. The study aims to provide a better understanding of how building core location influences circulation efficiency. It is expected to identify the advantages and limitations of different core arrangements and establish design considerations for reducing travel distances, improving accessibility, strengthening wayfinding, and supporting efficient movement. The findings will be useful to architects, planners, and building designers in selecting appropriate core locations that respond to building function, spatial configuration, occupancy patterns, and circulation requirements.

Keywords: Building core, core location, circulation efficiency, vertical circulation, spatial planning, building layout, accessibility, travel distance, circulation patterns, wayfinding, emergency evacuation, functional zoning, multi-storey buildings, architectural design.