Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
PhD Candidate in Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author)
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The expansion of functionalist approaches and global architectural paradigms in contemporary architecture has, in many cases, weakened the relationship between the physical structure of space and users' perceptual experience. This issue is particularly significant in cultural centers because of their role in shaping collective identity, urban memory, and social interactions. The present study aims to analyze the relationship between physical structure and place perception in cultural centers in Tehran through a comparative morphological approach. The research adopts a qualitative–interpretive methodology based on a comparative case study of three prominent contemporary cultural centers developed during the Islamic Republic period: Tehran Book Garden, the National Library of Iran, and Arasbaran Cultural Center. The physical and morphological characteristics of the selected cases were identified through documentary research, spatial analysis, field observations, and expert interviews. The analysis was conducted based on three principal morphological components—form, scale, and temporal continuity—and their relationship with the indicators of place perception. The findings reveal a direct relationship between formal coherence, human scale, spatial legibility, and historical continuity, on the one hand, and the enhancement of place perception, on the other. Furthermore, cultural centers characterized by strong integration with their cultural context, dynamic spatial organization, and active interaction with natural elements demonstrated superior performance in fostering a sense of belonging, place identity, and social interaction. The results indicate that the quality of place perception in cultural centers depends less on technological advancement or functional efficiency alone and is more strongly influenced by the organization of morphological components and their alignment with human and cultural needs.
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