Evaluation of the Wayfinding Process in Kashef Al-Saltaneh Tea Museum and Tomb in Lahijan City Using the Space Syntax Method

Tomb buildings were considered an important part of the past Iranians' beliefs. Various types of Iranian tomb architecture in the contemporary period include tombs (urban landmarks, monuments, and memorials), museum-garden complex, and tomb complexes. The design of the tombs is of great importance and should be worthy of the deceased dignity. Given that in the hierarchy of movement to reach the tomb, some spaces are required to prepare individuals mentally, how people find their ways in these spaces is of great importance. In the present study, the case studies are Iran's National Tea Museum and Kashef al-Saltaneh tomb in Lahijan city. The museum is the only specialized tea museum in Iran that was added to the tomb space in recent years and led to many changes in the interior design of the building. According to objective observations and information obtained from Guilan's Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, today, the annual number of people visiting the building decreases. The present study aims to investigate the wayfinding process in the interior of Iran's National Tea Museum and Kashef al-Saltaneh tomb and also to explain the principles of spatial cognition and the components required to facilitate the wayfinding in these spaces. The present study is descriptive-inferential research carried out quantitatively and qualitatively using the space syntax method. It is obvious that the principles of hierarchy and circulation have been less considered in the wayfinding process in the Kashef al-Saltaneh Tea Museum building, and it seems that removing the (attached) wooden stairs on both sides of the entrance on the ground floor has significantly increased the movement and visual communication in the space, reduced the confusion of people, made the connecting spaces in the building more legible, and facilitated the wayfinding process. All of these lead to a better understanding of the spaces.