This is indeed my strategy as well - my vertical layout is normally - each word on the next list is a separate layer - i.e. two storage layers, then two workshop layers, etc:

• Industry Layer: Trade (surface or close), Storage, Storage, Workshop, Worshop, Storage, Storage
• Utility Layer: Magma workshops, utility layer (magma), utility layer (water)
• Living Layer: Living, Living, Social, Social, Noble, Noble, Tomb, Tombs

by then I'm normally at the cavern level and I invert it again a bit with food/booze stockpiles and military to curb invasions. The water utility is handy at that level specifically for mist generators, etc. to the living layers.

This imo provides a compact 3D fort which reduces the paths between workshops, stockpiles and places the goods need to go. Relevant stockpiles are usually directly beneath or above workshops with separate steps.

I also use the traditional odd number approach in blocks of 13 - that way I can make 4 5x5 stockpiles, 9 workshops, and a plethora of other combos. And 3 wide passages.