Horizontal BEAM bioreactor?

Since I first learned about the Johnson-Su BEAM method of composting, I've been meaning to try it, but... the vertical bioreactor seems like a ton of work. You build this 8' high (or even just 4') tower, but then you have to stick ventilation pipes into it to ensure that every part of the compost is within 1' of air. If you built a 1' deep sheet mulch, wouldn't that also ensure every part was within 1' of air? That would eliminate the need for the ventilation pipes and also the metal cage. You could still elevate it on pallets and cover it with landscape fabric and water it every day as the BEAM method prescribes, but horizontally instead of vertically. Has anyone tried this? Is there some benefit to the vertical tower that I'm missing?

I confess I don't know the details of this system. Can you give us a  précis of how it is intended to work?

I think compost needs a minimum volume to cook.
A 4' tall pile might become 1 foot tall by the time it's done, but a long horizontal container that is only 1 foot deep to start might  diminish to the point it won't cook anymore.

Ben, aside from being designed to exceed the minimum size needed for the microbes to self heat to temperatures that will kill pathogens (theoretically 3ft x 3ft × 3ft but easier at 4ft x 4ft x 4ft or bigger), the Johnson Sue tower was designed to be moved by a tractor on the pallet (hence more vertical than horizontal). Vertical pipes also allow for scaling up in volume with less real estate than a 1ft tall system (e.g. 5ft wide x 20ft long x 5ft tall). The thicker pile also helps minimize drying of the pile in arid climates (less exposed surface area).
Hot composting is not the only way to kill pathogens or produce beneficial compost though, and there is always room for improvement. I prefer to take the best of different methods, with understanding of the principles, and tailor a solution that meets my goals. What are your goals?

For folks wanting to know more about the Johnson-Su method of composting:

https://permies.com/t/175563/composting/Johnson-Su-Bioreactor

https://permies.com/t/143299/composting/worms-Johnson-Su-Bioreactor