Issue Statement: Spatial perception in historic urban squares extends beyond purely physical and functional analyses and is deeply connected to lived experience, collective memory, and the multisensory engagement of users. These spaces operate as environments where the bodily, mental, and emotional dimensions of human presence intersect, thereby shaping urban identity and meaning. Tehran’s 15 Khordad Square, influenced by the spatial principles of the Persian garden and located near governmental institutions, the Grand Bazaar, and Golestan Palace, represents a significant example of such urban environments. The presence of water, vegetation, environmental sounds, diverse textures, and coherent geometry has contributed to the formation of a multidimensional sensory experience.
Research Question: How do natural, geometric, and perceptual elements contribute to shaping users’ spatial experience in Tehran’s 15 Khordad Square?
Research Objectives: This study aims to investigate the sensory-spatial experience of users in Tehran’s 15 Khordad Square and to explain the role of natural, geometric, and perceptual components in forming this experience. It further seeks to clarify how sensory engagement enhances the experiential quality of historic urban spaces.
Research Methodology: The research adopts a qualitative approach based on phenomenological methodology. Data were collected through field observation, semi-structured interviews, and sensory evaluations focusing on olfactory, auditory, and tactile perception. The gathered data were analyzed using open coding techniques to identify recurring themes and interpret users’ lived experiences within the square.
Key Findings and Research Conclusion: The findings indicate that Tehran’s 15 Khordad Square, despite certain shortcomings, has created a suitable context for multisensory spatial experience through a design inspired by Persian garden principles. The natural sounds of water, the fragrance of vegetation, soil humidity, direct interaction with water, and tree shading contributed to a calm, familiar, and memorable atmosphere. The areas surrounding pools and green spaces attracted the highest level of user presence and activity. Although the square suffers from limited color diversity, weak visual connections, and inactive surrounding facades, it still possesses valuable sensory capacities that can serve as a model for the regeneration of historic urban spaces. Conscious integration of these qualities into urban design can support the creation of experience-oriented environments responsive to both functional and aesthetic needs.