Assessing Functional Transformation Through Space Syntax: The Case of the Mehmet Katırcı Business Center

Abstract

Adaptive reuse interventions significantly alter spatial organization and user movement within buildings. This study comparatively examines the Mehmet Katırcı Business Center during its use as a private educational institution and its current function as the Konya Water and Sewerage Administration (KOSKİ) service building. Ground and typical floor plans were analyzed using Space Syntax and Graph Theory methods. Connectivity, visual integration, intelligibility, gate count, Beta and Gamma indices, and mean and total depth values were evaluated. The findings indicate that the educational function was characterized by a controlled and hierarchical circulation pattern, whereas adaptive reuse created a more integrated circulation system on the ground floor through additional spatial connections. On the typical floors, however, the office layout increased spatial segregation and depth, resulting in more controlled user movement. Overall, the analyses demonstrate that adaptive reuse objectively transforms spatial organization and circulation patterns, highlighting the effectiveness of quantitative analytical methods in evaluating functional transformation.