Despite the rich historical and cultural heritage of the city of Tabriz, many contemporary public spaces, particularly cafés, are often confined to functional and aesthetic considerations, while their cultural, historical, and perceptual layers remain largely neglected. This tendency results in the weakening of the experiential depth of such spaces, even though they possess a remarkable potential for reproducing collective memories and reinforcing the sense of place. In this context, the approach of Associative Architecture emerges as a meaning-oriented design strategy that can establish a deep and affective bond between users and space by deliberately employing cultural symbols, familiar spatial patterns, and multi-sensory elements.

Despite this potential, there is a noticeable lack of systematic studies focusing on the extraction and operationalization of associative architectural components within the historical fabric of Tabriz. Accordingly, the present research seeks to identify these components and explain their role in enhancing the sense of place in historical-context cafés. The central research question asks: What are the components of Associative Architecture in cafés located within the historical texture of Tabriz, and how does each component contribute to strengthening the sense of place and shaping a meaningful spatial experience for users?

To address this question, the study adopts a qualitative research design with a descriptive–analytical approach. The research process is structured in two main phases. First, a comprehensive literature review is conducted to construct the theoretical framework, drawing on concepts such as sense of place, place attachment, collective memory, and associative or memory-based architecture. Second, empirical data are collected through systematic field observations in three selected case studies: Farsh Café, Chapari Café, and Gelim Café, all located within the historical urban fabric of Tabriz. These cases were purposively selected due to their conscious use of historical references, indigenous materials, and culturally loaded spatial atmospheres.

The collected data are analyzed through qualitative content analysis across three analytical dimensions: (1) the physical dimension, including spatial configuration, geometry, indigenous materials, and lighting strategies; (2) the perceptual dimension, encompassing sensory qualities, atmosphere, legibility, and experiential coherence; and (3) the cultural dimension, involving symbolic elements, narratives, and references to collective memory. By organizing observations within this tri-dimensional framework, the research is able to trace how specific design decisions contribute to the emergence of associative links between users and their environment.

The findings indicate that the deliberate use of components such as warm and low-intensity lighting, the application of local materials (including brick, stone, and wood), traditional seating arrangements and layout patterns, and the incorporation of explicit cultural signs (such as historical photographs, traditional textiles, old tools, and calligraphic inscriptions) plays a decisive role in activating mental associations and collective memories. These elements do not merely function as decorative additions; rather, they operate as triggers that recall personal and shared experiences related to the historical identity of Tabriz. As a result, the overall spatial experience tends to shift from a purely consumptive or commercial mode toward a more intimate, memory-laden, and place-bound experience.

In the three cafés under study, this process unfolds in a layered manner. At the physical level, the spatial organization and materiality provide a tangible framework that references traditional architectural patterns of Tabriz, such as introverted layouts, the use of niches, and the articulation of thresholds. At the perceptual level, atmospheric qualities—particularly warm lighting, acoustic moderation, and controlled visual permeability—encourage users to slow down, dwell, and cognitively “inhabit” the space rather than merely pass through it. At the cultural level, the presence of symbolic artifacts and narrative cues connects the present-day café environment to broader historical and social narratives, thereby embedding the everyday act of sitting in a café within a continuity of local culture.

The interplay of these three dimensions leads to the emergence of what this study characterizes as an intimate and meaningful spatial experience. Users are not only provided with a functional setting for consumption and social interaction but are also implicitly invited to engage with the historical identity of the place. The research thus demonstrates that Associative Architecture functions as a mediating layer between spatial form and cultural meaning, enabling contemporary cafés to act as carriers of historical continuity rather than neutral, placeless commercial interiors. This mediation significantly contributes to strengthening the sense of place and supporting the continuity of historical identity within the everyday life of the city.

In conclusion, the study argues that Associative Architecture offers a viable and context-sensitive strategy for reactivating the latent cultural and historical capacities of public spaces in historic urban fabrics. By systematically identifying and organizing the components of this approach into physical, perceptual, and cultural dimensions, the research provides a conceptual and practical framework that can inform future design interventions in similar contexts. The findings highlight that enhancing the sense of place is not a spontaneous or purely subjective phenomenon; rather, it is closely tied to deliberate design decisions that engage users’ memories, perceptions, and cultural references. Future research is recommended to complement this qualitative, interpretive approach with user-based evaluations, such as interviews or behavioral observations, in order to further examine how different user groups interpret and internalize these associative cues in historical-context cafés.