Keywords
Artificial intelligence
Neuroaesthetics
Pre-attentive vision
Eye-tracking simulation
How to Cite
Abstract
Traditional, classical, and vernacular architectural forms often exhibit fractal qualities that enhance aesthetic appeal and engage the human eye. This study explores whether the complexity and ornamentation found in traditional designs have measurable impacts on how people unconsciously perceive and visually engage with buildings. Through analyzing 28 facades generated with artificial intelligence, we calculated the fractal dimension of each one by the box-counting method. Unconscious visual attention was then predicted using eye-tracking emulation software to determine which fractal qualities capture most attention. Our results show a significant correlation: buildings with more fractality and organized visual complexity tend to capture more pre-attentive visual attention before viewer cultural associations come into play. These findings highlight the enduring appeal of the proportional complexity, fractal scaling, ornamentation, and intricate geometries found in traditional architecture. The fractal patterns inherent in traditional buildings may contribute to human visual experience, aesthetic appreciation, and psychophysiological health.
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