Problem Statement
Belonging to the third place and the formation of sociable spaces in contemporary collective environments is an appropriate response to the shrinking living space of today's people. These spaces play a crucial role in strengthening social interactions and enhancing urban vitality, and their design should be tailored to meet the communication needs of individuals in society (Asgari, 1402: 135).
One of the most common examples of the third place in everyday life is coffee shops; spaces where people take refuge for rest, conversation, socialization, and spending free time (Rahmani and Rafipour, 1400: 141). In recent years, the acceptance of coffee shops has increased significantly, and, as a result, their number has also grown significantly (Mojtabawi and Nahdali, 1400: 83).
Given their growing role, coffee shops must be designed to foster social interaction by prioritizing features like view, furniture, capacity, location, and cozy spaces. Many coffee shops, however, fall short in implementing these principles, limiting their ability to attract and retain users, and undermining their purpose as vital social spaces.
Environmental factors in coffee shops are directly related to components such as concentration, comfort, interaction, and furniture arrangement. Achieving these characteristics requires attention to the "spectrum of solitude" because solitude is one of the key elements in designing effective spaces for the presence and productivity of users. Humans sometimes need to be in a group and sometimes need solitude; therefore, "solitude" is a dynamic and variable concept that includes "individual solitude" and "collective solitude" at both ends of its spectrum (Khameneh, 2017: 33).
Elements such as color, vision, lighting, and furniture are effective in creating a sense of privacy in coffee shops. Among these, furniture plays a decisive role and can create individual or collective privacy. However, in many cases, the importance of furniture design in coffee shops is not given enough attention. This is despite the fact that furniture plays a fundamental role in defining the interior space and, more than any other element, helps to instill a sense of comfort and habitability in the space (Mousavi et al., 2010: 148).
Objectives:
• Analyzing the components of the privacy spectrum in the interior space of two-story and black square coffee shops in Mashhad.
• Examining the characteristics of the shape and arrangement of furniture in each of the case studies.
• Comparative comparison of the effect of the shape and arrangement of furniture on promoting a sense of privacy in two selected coffee shops.
Questions:
• How and in which part of the plan does the spectrum of solitude appear in the two-story and black square coffee shops?
• What are the characteristics of the shape and arrangement of furniture in each of these two coffee shops?
• What are the differences and similarities in the shape and arrangement of furniture in the two case studies in terms of their impact on the sense of solitude?
Research Method:
This research is qualitative and was conducted with a comparative case study approach. The data collection process was carried out in three main stages:
Stage one – Documentary and library collection
Stage two – Field collection
Stage three – Data analysis
Conclusion:
The results of this study, based on field analysis, direct observations, data from interviews, and thematic analysis, show that the components of the privacy spectrum in the interior of coffee shops are significantly linked to the shape and arrangement of furniture and are spatially represented through them. Focusing on two case studies of “Bisoli” and “Black Square” in Mashhad, this study examined three levels of analysis, which are explained in response to three research objectives and questions, respectively:
The analysis of the components of the privacy spectrum showed that privacy is not a one-dimensional concept and can be traced in space as a spectrum from individual privacy to collective privacy. In the “Dusoli” coffee shop, individual privacy is mainly expressed in closed spaces, especially corners and nooks equipped with single and double furniture and soft lighting. Appropriate spacing and visual boundaries have enhanced the feeling of stillness and concentration. In contrast, collective privacy in the open and semi-open space has enabled the formation of limited interactions in small groups through the arrangement of four-person and group tables.
In the “Black Square” coffee shop, the spatial structure is designed based on high interactivity and fluidity in functional boundaries. In this space, collective privacy has a more prominent place, and a kind of collaborative privacy is defined through group furniture with curved and modular forms, combined with warm materials and natural light. Individual privacy is only discernible in some marginal points of the plan – such as the two-person tables by the window – and not as a dominant structure.
A careful analysis of the shape and arrangement of the furniture in both examples (according to the analytical tables) showed that in “Dusoli”, conventional, more formal, and legible forms with a regular arrangement have been used to create independent and territory-oriented spaces. The backless forms, the knotted fabrics, and the geometric structure of the arrangement have provided a hierarchical and calm spatial structure.
In contrast, in “Black Square”, the free and asymmetrical forms, semicircular tables, wooden materials, and warm textures with a fluid and sometimes nonlinear arrangement have caused users to feel liberated, free to choose the space, and closer psychologically. Although this arrangement challenges the classical order, it has also created a high capacity for social interactions and the experience of collective solitude.
A comparison between the two examples showed that the shape and arrangement of furniture not only determine the functional boundaries of the space, but also play a fundamental role in the users' psychological perception of privacy. In "Dusoli", the form and arrangement helped to create distinct territories and individual privacy, while in "Black Square", the spatial structure is organized to enhance collective privacy and the experience of social intimacy.