ASBI Pocket Beit Midrash: Aruch HaShulhan, Laws of Synagogue 150:9

The Rambam writes in the eleventh chapter of Megillah, Law 3: The bimah is placed in the middle of the room so that the individual who reads Torah or someone who recites a sermon can be heard by all. And this is what the Rema writes in 150:5. And newcomers have tried to reform Jewish customs and have placed the bimah in the front. And their punishment is great, for without any rhyme or reason they have distorted an ancient practice that is also logical. And it is as though they are trying intentionally to be provocative.

And according to the Zohar there should not be more than six steps to the bimah. And the prayer-leaders should face the aron and none should sit between the bimah and the aron so that their backs are to the aron.

And the order of sitting in the synagogue was written by the Tur based on the Tosefta; The elders sit facing the people (along the eastern wall) and the rest of the congregation sits in rows facing the aron and facing the elders. See there. And it is good in the eyes of God not to deviate from the practices of earlier generations and on this we can say "ask your fathers that they may tell you..."