Visual behavior characteristics of historical landscapes based on eye-tracking technology

Abstract

ABSTRACT The subjective encounter with architecture encompasses the particular presentation of architectural elements or the overall structure to individuals, taking into account their perception, cognition, and thought processes. The purpose of this research is to investigate the intricate relationship between visual attention directed towards historical architecture and the subjective experiences engendered during the process of observation. Utilizing eye-tracking technology within the realm of virtual reality, this study delves into the observation patterns exhibited by individuals when confronted with historical architecture, specifically focusing on the traditional courtyard residences found in Beijing’s hutongs. The panoramic images, meticulously modeled and rendered, are divided into six distinct areas of interest: base, ground, window&doors, walls, roof, and eaves. The eye-tracking data of 81 participants, who engaged with 10 virtual scenes through the employment of VR headsets, along with their responses to architectural style questionnaires, were systematically gathered. Through comprehensive analysis, encompassing the examination of total fixation duration (TFD), fixation count (FC), first fixation duration (FFD), and time to first fixation (TFF) across the areas of interest (AOIs), in addition to deviations in scores among different architectural areas and styles, notable insights emerged. Results indicate that both professionals and non-professionals allocate heightened attention, as evidenced by TFD, FC, TFF, and FFD, to elements that exhibit greater score deviations in the questionnaires as opposed to those with smaller discrepancies. Moreover, the TFD and FC metrics pertaining to the Windows&doors AOI collectively constitute 40.20% and 40.71%, respectively. Undoubtedly, these figures signify the preeminent focal points within all AOIs. This underscores the pivotal role played by doors and windows in shaping individuals’ judgments pertaining to historical architectural styles. This research provides designers with valuable understanding of the cognitive patterns exhibited by individuals in engaging with aspects of history, which enable them to identify and preserve key elements associated with historical styles. Additionally, it establishes a fundamental cornerstone for future quantitative research endeavors centered around the preservation of historical architectural styles.