Image statistics substantiate Gaudí's naturalistic design principles

Human observers perceive natural scenes differently from man-made
environments, and this distinction can be quantified using image
statistics. However, there is limited evidence on how the architectural
style of buildings influences these statistics and, consequently, visual
perception. Understanding this relationship is crucial, as architectural
design shapes our visual and psychological experience of built
environments. The amplitude spectrum slope reflects the sharpness and
detail of the image. This measure tends to be closer to 1 among
photographs of natural scenes compared to those of man-made objects.
Additionally, photographs with higher entropy, indicating increased
unpredictability and information, are more likely to capture attention. In
the present study, we examined photographs of buildings designed by Antoni
Gaudí (1852-1926), known for his nature-inspired creations. Our analysis
reveals that photographs of Gaudí's buildings exhibited an average
amplitude spectrum slope more aligned with natural scenes than
contemporary structures, along with higher image entropy, indicating
greater visual complexity. Notably, the presence of trees in front of
contemporary buildings enhances their naturalistic qualities, reflected in
shifts in amplitude spectrum slope and entropy toward values
characteristic of natural scenes. These findings suggest that integrating
naturalistic design elements into architecture can modify image
statistics, potentially influencing perception and aesthetic experience.