Window View Preferences in Various Environmental and Activity Contexts

Abstract

Our surroundings, as viewed through the window, have a significant impact on how we feel, how we think, and how productive we are. In order to build settings that promote pleasant emotions and support mental health, whether at home or at work, it is crucial to take the window view into account as well as any potential consequences it may have. In this study, we first conduct a bibliometric analysis of the topic using Elsevier SciVal data. Then, using a questionnaire survey, we proceed to determine what is the respondents’ favourite window view and what is the reason they look through the window. The results show that the preferred window view contains greenery, and the main reason for looking through the window is mental disconnection. The Chi-Square test results suggest that there is a correlation between age and the preferred window view. Furthermore, the results also showed that there is a connection between the environment where the respondents spend the majority of their workday and the reason for looking through the window.

1. Introduction

Given the trend of population urbanisation, sustainability goals, city growth and urban densification, access to daylight and the quality of window views is becoming increasingly challenging. The visual connection of the interior and exterior environments through the window provides psychological comfort and personal satisfaction [1,2,3,4]. This was also shown in the long-term lockdown during the COVID-19 epidemic when looking outside allowed the only visual contact with the environment and also the only social connection with other people [5]. The window view can also reduce stress [6], prevent mental fatigue [4,7] and foster the brain functions of memory, speech, and movement, potentially leading to improvements in emotional health, depression, and memory disorders [8]. It was found [9] that patients in a room with a view of nature recover faster, need less medication and experience less pain. Even in the work environment, looking through the window at nature improves general life and work satisfaction [10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. In recent years, studies have also addressed the effects of classroom window views on children. They mainly focus on children’s subjective sense of well-being and their learning results [17]. Children feel less stress and are more focused on tasks in classrooms with views of nature through the windows [18]. After the break, when they can look out the window at nature, they achieve significantly higher results in performance tests of focused attention and recover faster from a stressful situation than their peers who spent the break in classrooms without a view of green areas [7].

Window views trigger different reactions in the observer, depending on the motif in the scenery and the composition. Views of nature are best accepted, but with urban views, the following applies: the more vegetation that obscures the view of the urban environment, the greater the acceptability of the view of the nearby urban environment [19,20]. A high-quality window view usually includes both the foreground and the horizon [21], thereby allowing a view into the distance. Furthermore, a high-quality view contains three visible layers—the upper layer of the view contains the sky and the horizon, the middle layer includes natural or artificial elements, such as fields, trees, hills or buildings and other built objects, and the lower layer is the foreground and includes the ground [22]. Through the window, there is also a constant interaction with the surroundings of the building, which is full of visual information [23,24], with which it is possible to obtain information about the part of the day, the weather, the location, and the activities of people in the surroundings [25].

Recent studies on the pricing of residential real estate also suggest that certain characteristics, like the proximity of water bodies and a window view, result in increased rental costs [26]. As Babin et al. [27] suggest hedonic value derives from subjective and personal responses, this implies the importance of hedonic values influencing the real estate valuing [26,28,29,30].

The surroundings can, therefore have a significant impact on emotions, general well-being, and mood. Different window views can elicit a range of feelings and experiences, which can impact our creativity, productivity, and mood [4,14,15,16,31]:

• Creativity: A beautiful scene, such as a bustling urban or natural setting, can spark imagination and creativity. Nature’s splendour or the vivacity of city life can pique our imaginations and promote creative thinking [10].
• Productivity: Our level of productivity can be considerably impacted by the window view. A relaxing and peaceful view may make us feel more at ease and attentive, improving our capacity for concentration and productivity. However, an unpleasant or distracting view could make it harder for us to concentrate and work efficiently [10,11,12,13,14,15,16].
• Mood and emotions: A variety of viewpoints can elicit a range of emotions. A view that is sunny and cheery may elevate our spirits and make us feel happier, but a view that is dismal or monotonous may make us feel sad or bored [1,2,3,4].
• Stress reduction: It has been demonstrated that views of nature, such as vegetation or water features, can lower tension and encourage relaxation. Through the window, viewing natural scenery helps calm our nervous system and improves how we handle stress [3,4,6,7].
• Well-being and health: A nice window view might enhance our general sense of health and happiness. Our physical and emotional health can benefit from being in a beautiful setting or being able to connect with nature [3,4,5].

Because of the topic’s importance, we have first performed a field-wide bibliographic analysis, which plays a crucial role in understanding the landscape of the research on the topic. We can use it to find important themes, patterns, and gaps in the body of prior literature, which helps us to decide where to direct and concentrate our future research. Research contributors, such as authors and institutions, can be better understood through performance analysis and bibliometric investigations. These methodologies aid in analysing the productivity and impact of research by statistically evaluating the publication output, citation impact, and collaboration patterns [32,33]. A thorough comprehension of the knowledge structure is made possible by science mapping tools, which, in contrast, enable us to visualise the links and networks within the subject, exposing clusters of related research.

Further information was acquired using a questionnaire and statistical analysis to evaluate the window views. We were especially curious about the respondents’ favourite window views and the motivations for their propensity to peer out of windows. Additionally, we developed two hypotheses to investigate whether age influences the respondents’ favourite window view and if the respondents’ motivation for staring out the window is influenced by where they spend the majority of their working days.

H1. 

Age influences preferred window view.

H2. 

Where we spend the majority of the workday affects the main reason to look through the window.

There are several reasons that motivate this research (see also [34]):

-

Understanding Environmental Influence: By examining window views and the motivations for looking out, we hoped to learn more about how people’s surroundings affect their health, level of productivity, and general mood.

-

Workplace Design and Productivity: The results of this study can be helpful in creating workspaces that are both employee-friendly and more productive. Creating environments that encourage creativity and efficiency can be aided by understanding the preferred viewpoints and how they influence people’s mindsets.

-

Stress Reduction and Health Benefits: Investigating the motivations behind peering out the window enables us to spot possible stress-relieving elements in the surroundings. Finding peaceful views can help design areas that encourage relaxation and have a favourable impact on people’s health.

-

The Human Connection to Nature: Understanding why people look out windows can help us better understand how we interact with nature. It enables us to understand how crucial it is to include natural features and views in constructed spaces in order to improve well-being.

-

Workplace Satisfaction: The study sought to determine whether having a pleasant view out the window affects how satisfied employees are with their jobs. These insights can be useful for businesses trying to foster a supportive and interesting workplace.

-

Architecture and Urban Planning Decision-Making: This study’s findings can help architects and urban designers when creating new structures and urban areas. It can serve as a guide for decisions like window positioning, orientation, and the inclusion of green areas to produce more aesthetically pleasing surroundings.

This study employed a two-fold approach to comprehensively investigate the topic. Initially, we conducted a bibliometric analysis using Elsevier SciVal data, providing a quantitative perspective on the subject matter. Subsequently, we implemented a questionnaire survey to delve into the subjective experiences of individuals, aiming to identify their preferred window views and motivations for gazing through the window. The bibliometric analysis served as a foundational exploration, offering insights into the broader research landscape. It allowed us to understand existing trends and the prominence of various aspects of the topic. This quantitative overview prepared us for the subsequent qualitative investigation. In essence, our study seamlessly combined the quantitative bibliometric analysis with a qualitative statistical examination to offer a comprehensive understanding of the topic, bridging the gap between empirical trends and individual perspectives.

2. Materials and Methods

First, we used the Donthu et al. [32] logical framework to analyse the bibliometric performance of the observed field. Moreover, out of the many different approaches that could have been used to analyse prior research in the wide, multidisciplinary field of window views, we chose to analyse Elsevier’s Scopus-indexed publications due to the high-quality data and comprehensive coverage of both the technical and social science fields, as well as books, book chapters, and conference proceedings [35]. Elsevier’s SciVal is a web-based analytics platform for gathering, contrasting, and evaluating bibliometric data, including summarizing research on specific scientific subjects and fields [36]. While other platforms like Web of Science are indeed valuable databases, we believed that Scopus offered a more holistic representation of the literature pertinent to our study.

To collect the quantitative data, an online questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was conducted in May 2023 and was sent to all the contacts with Slovenian email addresses in the repository of the New University through the online survey tool 1KA, resulting in a total of 112 fully completed questionnaires. The utilisation of an online questionnaire ensured a wide-reaching and efficient data collection process, allowing us to gather a diverse range of perspectives on the topic from a substantial number of participants within a specific timeframe. Since we distributed the survey to all the contacts within the New University, we did not perform a specific check for representativeness. The objective was to collect a wide range of perspectives and opinions from various groups within the university. Therefore, the survey results should be interpreted in the context of this sampling method. On the other hand, by distributing the survey to all the contacts within the New University, we ensured a diverse representation of opinions and perspectives. This approach might limit the generalizability of the results to the broader population but offers an in-depth understanding of the specific community within the university.

First, we conducted an examination of the respondents’ favourite window views and the main reasons for looking through the window. Using descriptive statistics, we initially explored the dataset to gain a basic understanding. Next, we employed the Chi-Square test to evaluate hypotheses H1 and H2. Specifically, we assessed whether age influences the favourite window view (H1) and whether the workplace location impacts the reason for looking through the window (H2). The Chi-Square test was chosen due to its suitability for analysing associations between two categorical variables. By comparing the observed and expected distributions of these categorical variables, we were able to determine whether any significant associations existed. This process provided valuable insights into potential dependencies within the dataset.

3. A Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Productivity: Outcomes of SciVal Analytics

In the decade leading up to the preparation of this report (2012–2022), the research topic under consideration generated a total of 71 publications focusing on the window view and workspace. Notably, within this time frame, 12 papers emphasised international scientific collaboration. The cumulative citations for these publications, inclusive of self-citations, amounted to a substantial count of 546 citations. This data underscores the noteworthy impact and engagement this research topic has garnered over the observed decade. Since the research area is multidisciplinary, the citation data must be normalised [37]. Elsevier SciVal prefers to employ a straightforward normalised citation metric that shows the number of citations in relation to a value of 1.0, which corresponds to the worldwide normalised average for all scientific areas as indexed by Scopus. In comparison to the global average, scores below 1.0 indicate a lesser level of scientific effect, while those above 1.0 indicate a higher level. This statistic, known as the Field-Weighted Citation Influence (FWCI), makes it simple to compare the influence of research across many scientific disciplines [38]. For the full period of 2012–2022, the average FWCI metric value for the observed scientific topic is 1.10.

The top 10 countries, according to the scholarly output in the field, for the 2012–2022 period are presented in

Table 1. Scholarly output and research impact for the observed topic in the top 10 countries (2012–2022).

Country/Region	Scholarly Output	FWCI	Citation Count
United States	14	2.08	238
India	12	0.38	36
China	8	1.14	87
Japan	6	0.09	4
United Kingdom	4	1.29	31
Argentina	3	0.18	4
Austria	3	0.52	16
Denmark	3	1.88	29
Australia	2	0.98	13
Canada	2	1.32	26

Source: Elsevier SciVal (March 2023).

.

Four of ten of the most productive and influential universities and other research institutions in the field are located in Asia and Europe (three of all), and one is located in Argentina, the US, and New Zealand (see

Table 2. Top 10 global research institutions in the observed field, per scholarly output and impact (2012–2022).

Institution	Country/ Region	Scholarly Output	FWCI	Citation Count
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre	India	2	0.34	4
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas	Argentina	2	0.28	4
Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Japan	2	0.17	1
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.	Japan	2	0.00	0
Silesian University of Technology	Poland	2	6.94	32
University of Canterbury	New Zealand	2	1.53	1
University of Southern Denmark	Denmark	2	2.39	23
University of Surrey	United Kingdom	2	2.39	23
Anna University	India	1	1.32	4
Arizona State University	US	1	0.00	0

Source: Elsevier SciVal (March 2023).

).

The top 10 individual researchers, ranked per their scientific output and impact in the observed field, and the values of their bibliometric performance indicators are presented in

Table 3. Top 10 researchers in the observed field, ranked per scholarly output and impact (2012–2022).

Author	Affiliation	Country/Region	Scholarly Output	FWCI	Citation Count
Asano, Tetsuo	Kanazawa University	Japan	2	0.17	1
Bai, Huidong	The University of Auckland	Australia	2	1.53	18
Billinghurst, Mark	University of South Australia	Australia	2	1.53	18
Fritz, Gerald	Profactor GmbH	Austria	2	0.55	13
Gao, Lei	University of Canterbury	New Zealand	2	1.53	18
Koda, Takuro	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.	Japan	2	0.00	0
Kruger, Norbert	University of Southern Denmark	Denmark	2	2.39	23
Kunimoto, Akito	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.	Japan	2	0.00	0
Mayer, Heinz	Joanneum Research	Austria	2	0.55	13
Mukherjee, Jayanta Kumar	Bhabha Atomic Research Centre	India	2	0.34	4

Source: Elsevier SciVal (March 2023).

.

The top 10 journals publishing the analysed research are listed in

Table 4. Top 10 Scopus sources in the observed field, ranked per scholarly output (2017–2022).

Scopus Source	Scholarly Output	FWCI	Citation Count
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing	3	0.29	3
Proceedings of SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering	3	5.44	122
Proceedings—IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation	2	2.74	31
Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing	2	3.02	64
Surgical Endoscopy and Other Interventional Techniques	2	1.68	48
2013 ASEE International Forum	1	0.00	0
2020 AIChE Virtual Spring Meeting and 16th Global Congress on Process Safety	1	0.00	0
8th International Conference on Computing, Communications, and Networking Technologies, ICCCNT 2017	1	0.00	0
Advanced Engineering and Computational Methodologies for Intelligent Mechatronics and Robotics	1	0.00	0
Advanced Materials Research	1	0.00	0

Source: Elsevier SciVal (March 2023).

.

4. Results of the Questionnaire

In this section, we provide the findings of the quantitative data (collected by the online questionnaire) using tables and graphs. Through the online survey tool 1 KA, the questionnaire was distributed to all the contacts with Slovenian email addresses in the New University repository in May 2023. This resulted in a total of 112 totally completed surveys. Out of the 112 respondents, 43 (38%) were men and 69 (62%) were women. The participants were divided into four age groups: up to 20 years of age (15%), 21 to 40 years (27%), 41 to 60 years (38%), and above 60 years (20%) (Figure 1). Moreover, most of the participants (71%) were employed persons, 23% were students, and 6% were pensioners. The age groups were defined according to life periods. The age of 20 years marks the period of adolescence and schooling. Age 21–40 years marks a period of young adulthood with developing careers and establishing partnerships and families. The age of 41–60 years indicates a mature period of adulthood with an established career and a family with older or mature children. An age of over 60 years is an older period with a slower pace of life and greater attention to health. We believe that for the study of the responses to different contents of the view, such a definition of groups is more suitable than the more common 10-year age division.

First, we asked the respondents what their preferred window view is. For almost half of them, the countryside containing greenery (trees, shrubs, grassy areas, flowers) is the ideal view through the window (Figure 2).

Next, we wanted to determine whether the age of the respondents influences their favourite window view. Here, we used the Chi-Square test to calculate whether there is a statistically significant association between two categorical variables (categorical variable “the favourite window view” and one independent categorical variable “age group”). By conducting the Chi-Square test (

Table 5. Chi-Square test (respondents’ favourite window view).

AGE GROUP		Respondents’ Favourite View through the Window					TOTAL	${\mathit{\chi }}^2$
		Greenery	Built Environment	Water Features	Landscape	Suburban Environment
Up to 20	f	4	9	3	2	0	18	28.90
	%f	22%	50%	17%	11%	0%	100%
21–40	f	15	2	7	5	1	30
	%f	50%	7%	23%	17%	3%	100%
41–60	f	20	5	6	9	2	42
	%f	48%	12%	14%	21%	5%	100%
Above 60	f	14	1	2	2	3	22
	%f	64%	4%	9%	9%	14%	100%
TOTAL	f	53	17	18	18	6	112
	%f	47%	15%	16%	16%	5%	100%

), we obtained a Chi-Square statistic and a p-value, which was compared with the chosen significance level of α = 0.05.

The calculated Chi-Square statistic is 28.90, with a p-value of 0.004. Since the p-value is less than the significance level of α = 0.05, we can confirm that age does have a significant influence on an individual’s favourite view through the window.

Furthermore, we asked the respondents what their main reason was for looking through the window. For more than half of them, this reason is mental disconnection (Figure 3).

In the following, we divided the respondents into three groups based on where they spend most of their working days:

-

Group 1: They spend most of the day at home (work or study at home, etc.)

-

Group 2: They spend most of the day at their workplace (office work, studying at the faculty, etc.)

-

Group 3: They spend the day at different locations (fieldwork, etc.)

Figure 4 illustrates the distribution of the respondents across these three groups.

Furthermore, we wanted to determine whether the location where the respondents spend the majority of their working days influences their reason for looking through the window. To achieve this, we again used a Chi-Square analysis, which allowed us to examine the association between the above categorical variables “three groups of people” and “reasons for looking through the window” (

Table 6. Chi-Square test (respondents’ main reason for looking through the window).

		Respondents’ Main Reason for Looking through the Window				TOTAL	${\mathit{\chi }}^2$
		Changing Weather	Mental Disconnection	Changing Environment	External Events
Group 1	f	1	2	8	7	18	18.40
	%f	6%	11%	44%	39%	100%
Group 2	f	2	25	7	4	38
	%f	5%	66%	18%	11%	100%
Group 3	f	6	30	12	8	56
	%f	11%	54%	21%	14%	100%
TOTAL	f	9	57	27	19	112
	%f	8%	51%	24%	17%	100%

).

The calculated Chi-Square statistic is 18.40, and the p-value is 0.005 (<α = 0.05), which indicates that we can reject our null hypothesis. In other words, we confirm that the location where the respondents spend the majority of their working days influences their reason for looking through the window.

5. Discussion

In the first part of the paper, we conducted a bibliometric analysis and presented the outcomes of the SciVal analytics. By using a bibliometric analysis, we obtained a better understanding of the research field, identified key publications, and identified new areas of interest. It provided us with the framework for our broader research, allowing us to add to the body of knowledge, offer fresh perspectives, and fill in significant knowledge gaps. In the bibliometric analysis, we identified an area that has not been extensively explored: the analysis of the preferred window views and reasons for looking through the window in connection with activity and the environment. This prompted us to conduct a quantitative survey on the topic.

Here, let us point out that there are various reasons why there are so many research publications on this topic from the US and India. First, there are many academic and research institutions in both the US and India with well-established departments specialising in a range of fields, such as psychology, environmental studies, and urban planning. These organisations have the infrastructure and resources to conduct studies on a range of subjects, including the influence of window views on productivity and mental health. Second, there are many chances for academics to collect data and carry out studies on many facets of the window-view experience due to the size and diversity of the populations in the US and India. Numerous study interests and points of view on this subject may result from the great geographic and cultural diversity found among these nations. Additionally, there can be particular environmental and sociological difficulties connected to window views in these nations that spur scholars to dig deeper into the issue. The research on the advantages of green spaces and nature vistas, for instance, is especially pertinent given the prevalence of urbanisation, pollution, and overpopulation in many regions of the US and India (see also [39,40]).

In the second part of the paper, we analysed the data collected using the questionnaire. The questionnaire results suggest that the favourite window view is greenery, which was also found in other studies [14,15,31]. There are a number of reasons why people want to look out their windows at vegetation. First, greenery—such as trees and plants—is frequently connected to peaceful, natural environments that can have a favourable effect on a person’s mood and well-being [14,20]. Second, the presence of greenery can foster a sense of connectedness to nature, especially in urban settings, offering a welcome respite from the stress of daily life [4,14]. Greenery is also recognised to provide psychological advantages, including the promotion of relaxation and the reduction of stress [4]. Greenery outside the window might also be a sign of a comfortable and visually appealing setting, which might help explain why many people choose this view [14].

Moreover, the Chi-Square analysis showed that there is a strong relationship between age and the preferred window view. The low p-value indicates that the association is not likely due to random chance, and we can conclude that age does play a role in determining people’s favourite views through the window. Due to changing preferences, interests, and views with age, age may affect one’s favourite window view. While elderly people can value tranquil and peaceful scenery, younger people might be drawn to more dynamic and lively scenes. Furthermore, life events and individual preferences may influence one’s choice for a specific view, making them a potential consideration in determining the relationship between age and preferred window views.

The data revealed that the most common reason for looking through the window is mental disconnection, which offers a momentary escape or break from the current task or surroundings, which confirms the findings of other studies [34]. People may naturally turn to the window to escape their immediate environment when they are feeling anxious, overworked, or mentally exhausted [4]. They can change their attention by turning their heads outside and taking in the sights and sounds of the outside world, which offers a momentary diversion and mental rest. These mental breaks can refresh their minds, boost creativity, and possibly even improve general health. People can momentarily disengage from their daily routine and take solace in the scenery by looking out the window, which is an easy and accessible way to do so. Additionally, the Chi-Square test confirmed that there is a connection between the reason for looking through the window and the place where individuals spend most of their working day.

Obviously, the atmosphere and surroundings in the working space might have an impact on our mental health and well-being, causing us to look out the window for brief moments of solace or escape [4]. For instance, people may seek out visual stimulation and views of the outdoors to relieve tension or boredom if they work in a drab and monotonous office environment [15,16].

Second, the workspace’s layout and design can also be important. People could be more likely to gaze outdoors for a change of view and connect with the outer environment if the workstation is inadequately lit by natural light or has limited access to windows. Above all, the temptation to peer out the window is influenced by the space where we work—whether this is a home office or not and if the location is changing frequently.

Let us also point out that hedonic valuing [27] has been widely used in real estate assessment. The traditional hedonic model assumes that the pricing of residential real estate depends on its features and location. Usually, the locational features, like the position and distance from the centre, and neighbourhood features, like the social infrastructure, population density, and income levels, are taken into account [29]. Some authors further suggest that the features belonging to the hedonic category (panoramic) view can be related to a substantial increase in pricing [26]. The results of this study indicate that the substantive part of the view is also important. Middle-aged and older respondents mainly preferred views that contained greenery, while young respondents most often chose the built environment. Among the age groups, water motifs were most often chosen by younger adults.

A similar distribution of responses can be observed in relation to the reasons for looking out the window. The most frequently chosen reason was mental disconnection, but a more detailed examination of the results shows that this answer was mostly chosen by middle-aged and older respondents, while the young respondents most often look out of the window to perceive a changing environment and external events. This means that they are more interested in external dynamic actions than relaxation and disconnection and that they desire intensive sensory impulses.

The preferences of the respondents could be connected primarily to their daily activities. In demanding work that requires concentration, the desire for mental disconnection is expected, while people who perceive their environment as monotonous seek information and stimulation through a visual connection with the outside. Furthermore, another study [30] suggests that the role of the psychological characteristics of real estate buyers (e.g., their personality, motivation, and emotions) and their expectations importantly influence their decision to buy; however, this study implies that the decisions are also strongly linked to age group affiliation. These results are important for the valuation of real estate because through the hedonic model and through the integrated hedonic–utilitarian approach of satisfying human needs [27,28], they can importantly influence the design of valuation models.

6. Conclusions

Our surroundings, as viewed through the window, have a significant impact on how we feel, how we think, and how productive we are. In order to build settings that promote pleasant emotions and support our mental health, whether at home or at work, it is crucial to take the window view into account as well as any potential consequences it may have. Whether it is a natural landscape that fosters relaxation and creativity or an urban scene that energises and inspires, the visual connection to the outside world can shape our well-being and the spaces we inhabit. Therefore, understanding the psychological and physiological effects of window views can provide valuable insights for architects, urban planners, and designers seeking to create environments that enhance our overall quality of life.

Recent research has shown that not all window views are equally attractive. For instance, as shown by previous studies, respondents reacted more positively to views that contained greenery. The maintenance of facades, their compositional quality, and surface treatment have a very pronounced influence on the reactions to views without greenery. Many examples of window views without greenery, although compositionally interesting and well-maintained, were rated very negatively in the survey [15]. This means that despite the well-designed architecture, there is still “something missing” in the window view (see, for example [4,15,16,20,31]).

Growing awareness of the impact of our physical environments on well-being and productivity has led to increased interest in the role of external surroundings, particularly window views, in influencing human emotions and cognitive processes. However, many aspects of this topic have remained underexplored. To address this research gap, our study employed a two-fold approach. First, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis utilizing Elsevier SciVal data to identify the current state of knowledge in this field. This analysis revealed that while there is substantial interest in the general topic of window views and their impact, there is a dearth of in-depth research into the specific preferences of individuals and the reasons behind them. Therefore, we proceeded to bridge this knowledge gap by conducting a quantitative survey. Through this survey, we aimed to delve deeper into the preferences for window views and the motives for gazing out of windows.

It turned out that the favourite window view of the analysed working population is greenery, and the main reason for looking through the window is mental disconnection. Using the Chi-Square test, we proved that there is a correlation between age and the preferred window view. Furthermore, we also showed that there is a connection between the location where the respondents spend the majority of their workday and the reason for looking through the window. By exploring these relationships, we hope to contribute valuable insights that can inform design decisions aimed at creating more conducive and harmonious environments for individuals’ mental and emotional well-being and more accurate real estate valuing.

Moreover, the impact of this study lies in its multidisciplinary approach and the synergy of the bibliometric analysis and quantitative survey techniques to explore a novel research area. The initial bibliometric analysis provides a foundational understanding of the research landscape related to window views and their associations with human behaviour and environments. This assessment can serve as a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners interested in this interdisciplinary field. The subsequent quantitative survey offers empirical evidence that advances the comprehension of how window views impact individual well-being and productivity in diverse work settings. These results contribute to a broader understanding of the psychological and environmental aspects of workspace design and management. This information can benefit various stakeholders, such as architects, facility managers, and urban planners, in creating more productive and engaging work environments.

The limitation of our study undoubtedly lies in the small sample size, which included only 112 participants. In future research, we intend to expand this sample size and re-examine the hypotheses. Additionally, we plan to explore how specific views through the window influence our productivity, emotions, and well-being. This broader investigation will provide valuable insights into the potential effects of different window views on various aspects of our daily lives.