Analysis of the Window Views of the Nearby Façades

Abstract

The view from the window is an important parameter of living comfort. Previous studies have defined several important characteristics of views, but there are very few studies that addressed window views in dense urban environments and their influence on the perceptual elements of the view. The scope of the study was to define the influence of design elements in window views that can trigger negative reactions from viewers. In our study the questionnaire survey was used as a method for obtaining the research data. A group of architecture students who participated as respondents selected different reactions to views and reasons for such responses. Only the window views that received poor responses were further investigated. The results were statistically analyzed according to the most frequent responses and the variability of responses. The homogeneity of the groups of responses as well as the groups of reasons was tested using the Fischer-Snedercor test. The analysis showed that the negative response to a window view depends not only on the short distance between the buildings, but also on the visual aesthetics, especially the composition quality, the surface characteristics and the maintenance of the observed building. The results show that interventions, especially natural elements such as vegetation, can increase the dynamics of the window view.

Overview of the Special Issue “New Frontiers in Design and Planning for Healthy Built Environments”

“…Being confined to the limited areas of their home territories during the most strict lockdowns, people have become aware of the qualities of the perceptual dimension of the built environment. Drobne et al [7] address a sporadically discussed topic of visual planning and mark the view from the window as an important parameter of living comfort. They focus on dense urban environments and study the perceptual elements of window views.…”