The Role of Symmetry in the Aesthetics of Residential Building Façades Using Cognitive Science Methods

Abstract

Symmetry is an important visual feature for humans and its application in architecture is completely evident. This paper aims to investigate the role of symmetry in the aesthetics judgment of residential building façades and study the pattern of eye movement based on the expertise of subjects in architecture. In order to implement this in the present paper, we have created images in two categories: symmetrical and asymmetrical façade images. The experiment design allows us to investigate the preference of subjects and their reaction time to decide about presented images as well as record their eye movements. It was inferred that the aesthetic experience of a building façade is influenced by the expertise of the subjects. There is a significant difference between experts and non-experts in all conditions, and symmetrical façades are in line with the taste of non-expert subjects. Moreover, the patterns of fixational eye movements indicate that the horizontal or vertical symmetry (mirror symmetry) has a profound influence on the observer’s attention, but there is a difference in the points watched and their fixation duration. Thus, although symmetry may attract the same attention during eye movements on façade images, it does not necessarily lead to the same preference between the expert and non-expert groups.

Enhancing Citizens’ Perceived Restoration Potential of Green Facades through Specific Architectural Attributes

“…Symmetrical greenery may be perceived as unnatural, and according to our results, does not positively affect perceived restoration. The result may also be influenced by education and background, where artists and architects may have different preferences than nonexperts [40]. The aesthetic experience of building facades is influenced by people's expertise, with symmetrical facades corresponding to the taste of nonexperts.…”

“…The aesthetic experience of building facades is influenced by people's expertise, with symmetrical facades corresponding to the taste of nonexperts. Asymmetry may not necessarily lead to equal preferences for expert and nonexpert groups in eye movements in face images [40], and nonartistic individuals may find symmetrical and complex stimuli more beautiful [46]. Despite this, most studies have shown that visual qualities such as symmetry are influential in the visual preferences of architectural views.…”

“…Research has shown that while symmetry is generally preferred in shapes and faces, natural landscapes without complete symmetry are preferred over those with two-way symmetry [39]. Additionally, the role of symmetry in the aesthetic judgment of residential buildings is influenced by people's expertise in architecture, with symmetrical facades corresponding to the taste of nonexperts [40]. However, a preference for symmetrical and complex stimuli may vary among nonartistic individuals [41].…”

Destination aesthetics: An empirical study of aesthetic judgment and aesthetic distance among tourists in Turkey

“…Furthermore, the shape and appearance of a building, which might be symmetrical or asymmetrical, is the first thing that appears. People favor symmetry over asymmetry in this regard (Azemati et al, 2020). Individuals are more inclined to favor familiar buildings over unfamiliar buildings when they are exposed to them.…”

Correlation research on visual behavior and cognition of impression against localized church facades in China

“…What's more, studies showed that the differences in the cognition of viewers against things lead to the differences between the acceptance and impression levels [ 16 , 17 ]. Cook et al [ 18 ] studied the influence of personality on aesthetic preferences, and indicated that architectural familiarity was found to be highly predictive of preferences for all styles.…”