Eye-Tracking and Psychological Analysis: The Impact of Building Shape on Visitor Visual Preference

Garden buildings not only enhance the aesthetics of gardens but also affect the visual and psychological experience of visitors. However, existing studies lack a systematic analysis of the shape types and combination patterns of buildings, which indirectly affects the overall experience of visitors. This study explores the attractiveness of different forms, styles, and combinations of buildings to visitors through oculometry and psychological analysis. The results of the study show that buildings are always the main focus of visitors’ sight in the garden, and traditional buildings can stimulate visitors’ excitement and curiosity. When observed at close range, visitors’ attention to simple-shaped buildings was mainly focused on the overall shape, while details of complex-shaped buildings, such as decorations, doors, windows, and columns, can significantly attract the eye. In contrast, when viewed from a distance, simple and regular combinations of building shapes were more effective in attracting visitors’ attention, while the appeal of the historic features of complex buildings declined, possibly due to reduced clarity of detail. Visually striking elements such as buildings with acute angles or curved eaves attracted more visual attention when viewed from a distance. This study not only provides a scientific basis for the design of shapes and historical characteristics of garden buildings but also provides practical guidance for the layout and spatial remodeling of garden buildings.