Separate layers and timeline into 2 different panels

The AE interface is incredibly cramped and it makes working in the software a frustrating experience. 

I think part of the reason is that a timeline needs space horizontally and layers need space vertically. So you end up in this never-ending tug-of-war between what you need to see more in the moment. Or you scroll and scroll and scroll to get to the layer that should be accessible immediately. 

What about you just separate the two? Then we can place layers into a vertical space, such as over by the project panel? Or is there already a solution for this UI problem that I'm just not aware of?