Circulation
Circulation in architecture refers to how people move through and between spaces in a building. It's like planning the "traffic flow" of a building, including hallways, stairs, elevators, and entrance paths. When architects mention circulation on their resumes, they're talking about their experience in designing these movement paths to make buildings more user-friendly and efficient. This is a fundamental concept in building design that affects everything from safety and accessibility to the overall user experience of a space.
Examples in Resumes
Optimized circulation patterns in a 50,000 sq ft office building to improve employee flow
Redesigned hospital circulation systems to enhance emergency response times
Created efficient circulation and wayfinding solutions for a major shopping center
Developed traffic flow and movement patterns for a multi-level educational facility
Typical job title: "Architects"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Architects
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you approach circulation design for a large hospital with multiple departments?
Expected Answer: A senior architect should discuss separating public, staff, and emergency circulation routes, ensuring efficient connections between departments, considering infection control, and planning for future expansion needs.
Q: How do you balance efficient circulation with other design priorities?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to integrate circulation with spatial requirements, budget constraints, energy efficiency, and aesthetic goals while maintaining building code compliance.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when designing vertical circulation in a multi-story building?
Expected Answer: Should mention elevator placement, stairwell locations, accessibility requirements, emergency egress, and traffic flow analysis based on building occupancy.
Q: How do you ensure your circulation design meets ADA requirements?
Expected Answer: Should discuss corridor widths, ramp slopes, turning radiuses, and other accessibility standards while explaining how these integrate into the overall design.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic types of circulation patterns in buildings?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain linear, radial, and spiral circulation patterns, and give simple examples of where each might be appropriate.
Q: How do you calculate the required width for a corridor based on occupancy?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic building codes for exit width calculations and explain how occupancy load affects circulation requirements.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Basic space planning and circulation diagrams
- Understanding of building codes
- Knowledge of accessibility requirements
- Simple corridor and stairway design
Mid (3-7 years)
- Complex circulation system design
- Traffic flow analysis
- Vertical transportation planning
- Emergency egress planning
Senior (7+ years)
- Large-scale circulation solutions
- Integration of multiple circulation systems
- Master planning
- Complex building type expertise
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of knowledge about building codes and safety regulations
- No understanding of accessibility requirements
- Unable to read and create circulation diagrams
- No experience with different building types
- Poor understanding of human movement patterns
Related Terms
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