Spatial Narratives and Architectural Interventions: Analysing the Impact of Internal Partition Design on Visitor Experience at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum

This study investigates the spatial and perceptual effects of a contemporary freestanding partition introduced into the upper gallery of the Istanbul Archaeological Museum, a landmark of late Ottoman neoclassical architecture. While the original design by Alexandre Vallaury emphasized axial clarity and openness, recent curatorial interventions have sought greater flexibility through reversible interior elements. Employing a mixed-methods framework, the research integrates space syntax analysis (visibility graph analysis via DepthmapX), statistical testing, and onsite behavioral observation. The findings demonstrate that the partition significantly reduced visual connectivity and fragmented spatial coherence, redirecting visitor circulation into sequential loops and generating new perceptual thresholds. Observations confirmed that visitors not only adapted their movement patterns but also engaged with the wall as part of the exhibition, underscoring its role as an active spatial agent rather than a neutral insertion. The study highlights how seemingly modest design interventions can substantially reshape embodied experience, spatial legibility, and curatorial narrative in heritage contexts. It argues for a critical balance between curatorial innovation and architectural integrity and demonstrates the value of space syntax as a tool for assessing design decisions within historically significant museum environments.