Interesting and Green Views are Best – “Science News”

Recent research looking at which views people prefer has thrown up an interesting result.

Batool, Rutherford, and McGraw, when investigating what people prefer to see out of their windows when they’re in urban areas found that “participants tend to prefer the presence of people, well-maintained buildings and orderly presented colours. . . .

Views containing a variety of information, with colourful patterns and differentiated facades, were preferred more than those with less information. . . . windows not affording a clear vision to the inside – that is, where further information could not be obtained about the environment behind an opening – led to reduced preference. . . . ”

In other words, not allowing people to see in through the windows!

“The presence of green and naturalistic elements, however small, in urban views may lead to higher preference ratings.“

A.Batool, P. Rutherford, and P. McGraw.  “View Preference in Urban Environments.”  Lighting Research and Technology, in press, https://doi.org/10.1177/1477153520981572