The designer, Ted Wells, chose the layout for one reason: pilot visibility.
Wells worked for Curtiss-Wright and originated the design in 1931 while working at the Travel Air plant in Wichita.
He showed the concept drawings to Walter Beech who tried to get the C-W brass interested in producing the aircraft, they
refused stating limited demand. Beech and his wife Olive Ann approached Wells with the idea of forming their own company, Wells agreed. In March of 1932 Beech and Wells tendered their resignations to Curtiss-Wright and the Beech Aircraft Company was born on April 19, 1932.
Beech was right and C-W were wrong, there was a demand for a fast, enclosed four-seater.
Cheers, Jon