Examining the Role of Visual Integration and Connectivity in the Spatial Organization of Public Buildings in the First Pahlavi Era Using Space Syntax (Case Studies: National Museum of Iran, Tehran Post Office, and National Bank Bazaar Branch)

Abstract

This study aimed to explain the role of connectivity and visual integration indices in shaping spatial organization, environmental legibility, and movement patterns in public buildings of the First Pahlavi era. This research adopted a mixed-method (qualitative–quantitative) approach based on a comparative case study strategy. Three representative public buildings from the First Pahlavi period in Tehran—the National Museum of Iran, Tehran Post Office, and the National Bank Bazaar Branch—were selected as case studies. Data collection involved architectural drawings, historical documents, and field observations. The analysis was conducted using the space syntax approach, particularly the visibility graph analysis method. Depthmap software was employed to quantify spatial configuration and extract key indices, including connectivity and visual integration, at the architectural scale. The analytical process included examining spatial distribution patterns of indices, comparing case studies, and interpreting spatial structures in relation to functional organization. The results indicated that in all three buildings, central spaces and main circulation paths exhibited the highest levels of connectivity and visual integration, functioning as primary nodes for movement distribution and user orientation. In contrast, specialized and service spaces showed progressively lower values, reflecting a hierarchical and controlled spatial structure. In the National Museum of Iran, moderate visual integration and a sequence-based organization facilitated a staged visitor experience. In the National Bank, high connectivity combined with variable visual integration enabled smooth public movement alongside visual control and operational security. In the Post Office building, high connectivity paired with low visual integration indicated a prioritization of operational efficiency and functional segregation. Overall, a significant relationship was observed between spatial configuration and movement and functional patterns. The findings demonstrate that the spatial organization of public buildings in the First Pahlavi era was governed by a modern rationality emphasizing order, efficiency, and control of movement flows. A deliberate balance between connectivity and visual integration can serve as a key design principle in contemporary architecture to enhance spatial legibility, guide movement, and improve functional performance.