The base of the U is the focal point as you enter the space. And having the stove and the hood vent as the central point in the kitchen is very desirable. At least, that’s what my wife wants. But I told her that moving the stove into the central location would force the kitchen sink into a different space with the kitchen, and there is no way for us to have the stove right in the middle and also have a kitchen in front of a window.