Yeh it makes sense to me cause I have a very similar pump. I located mine at the front of the pad so I could get at the controls easily.
The extra fittings will add a bit of head loss (friction loss), so decide how you want it located, then just try to use the fewest possible fittings. You'll be reducing friction loss quite a bit by running lower flow, so this becomes less of an issue.
Straight run into the pump needn't be all that much because pool pumps have the strainer basket in front of the impeller. The straight run to the impeller is a standard thing to do with conventional centrifugal pumps that has carried over into manuals for pool pumps, and most people see it as a mistaken example of the need. It's nice to have enough room for a barrel union (pipe union) on the pump though; perhaps it came with one. Even without the need, personally I'd leave 40 or 5 pipe diameters so I have room for repairs and changes.
If you want to get fancy, pause and google or call Speck pumps. There may be an adapter kit or a wall mount remote for that pump. Here's an example for the EcoM3
http://usa.speck-pumps.com/wp-content/themes/SpeckPumps/pdf/Badu Eco Touch II_manual_US.pdf
Or you could save those dollars and buy a full system controller that can interface to your pump, and other components.
I almost bought the local equivalent for the EcoM3 so somehow that stuck in the old cranium! Good luck with your project.
