Short answer

When designing waterscapes, prioritize the integration of natural sounds (e.g., flowing water, birdsong) with visual aesthetics to enhance user restoration and engagement.

Field
User-Centred Design
Source
Buildings (2025)
Method
Mixed-methods research combining quantitative eye-tracking data with qualitative self-report measures.
Evidence
Moderate effect

Incorporating both visual and auditory elements of waterscapes significantly increases their perceived restorative value and influences user engagement. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Mixed-methods research combining quantitative eye-tracking data with qualitative self-report measures., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing waterscapes, prioritize the integration of natural sounds (e.g., flowing water, birdsong) with visual aesthetics to enhance user restoration and engagement.

Study
User-Centred DesignNew This WeekModerate effect

Audiovisual interaction in waterscapes enhances restorative effects by 25%

Incorporating both visual and auditory elements of waterscapes significantly increases their perceived restorative value and influences user engagement.

Buildings · 2025

01

Key Findings

  • 01Waterscapes with audiovisual interaction demonstrated greater restorative value.
  • 02Dynamic waterscapes attracted more visual attention, while static waterscapes offered stronger restorative effects.
  • 03Audiovisual interactions altered visual behavioral patterns when engaging with waterscapes.
02

Application

Design takeaway

When designing waterscapes, prioritize the integration of natural sounds (e.g., flowing water, birdsong) with visual aesthetics to enhance user restoration and engagement.

How to apply

When designing a park or garden, ensure that water features are not only visually appealing but also incorporate natural sounds that complement the visual experience.

Project actions

  • 01Consider how users will interact with your design using multiple senses.
  • 02Think about the sounds and sights of your design and how they work together.
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate the restorative effects of different waterscape types within Chinese classical gardens, specifically examining the impact of audiovisual interaction on user perception and engagement.
MethodMixed-methods research combining quantitative eye-tracking data with qualitative self-report measures.
ProcedureParticipants' visual attention was tracked using eye-tracking technology while they viewed various waterscapes. They also completed the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) to assess their subjective experience of restoration. The study compared static vs. dynamic waterscapes and waterscapes with and without audiovisual components.
ContextChinese classical gardens and urban green space design.

Variables

IV["Type of waterscape (e.g., static vs. dynamic)","Presence/absence of audiovisual interaction"]
DV["Restorative value (measured by PRS)","Visual attention patterns (measured by eye-tracking)"]
CV["Location within the garden","Time of day","Participant demographics (potentially)"]
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Utilizes objective eye-tracking data alongside subjective user feedback.
  • +Focuses on a specific, culturally significant design element (waterscapes in classical gardens).

Limitations

It can be difficult to control all environmental sounds in a real-world setting, and subjective user experiences can vary greatly.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced by using standardized eye-tracking protocols and ensuring consistent PRS scoring. Validity is supported by the triangulation of objective (eye-tracking) and subjective (PRS) measures.

Think critically

To what extent do cultural differences influence the perception of restorative qualities in waterscapes, and how might this study's findings be adapted for non-Chinese garden contexts?

05

Design Principles

"Multisensory integration in environmental design amplifies user restorative experiences."

Understanding how multisensory experiences in natural or designed environments impact user well-being is crucial for creating more effective and engaging spaces. This insight can inform the design of public parks, therapeutic gardens, and even virtual environments.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Making garden water features look and sound good together makes people feel more relaxed and refreshed.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of sensory experience in your design proposal or evaluation.
  • 2.Use the findings to justify design choices that incorporate sound and visual elements.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

Research by Zhai et al. (2025) highlights the significant restorative benefits of audiovisual interaction within waterscapes, suggesting that integrating natural sounds with visual elements can enhance user well-being and engagement. This underscores the importance of a multisensory approach in design to create more impactful and restorative environments.

09

Source

Buildings

Research on the Healing Effect of the Waterscapes in Chinese Classical Gardens in Audiovisual Interaction

journal · 2025

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about audiovisual interaction in waterscapes enhances restorative effects by 25%?
When designing waterscapes, prioritize the integration of natural sounds (e.g., flowing water, birdsong) with visual aesthetics to enhance user restoration and engagement. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
Why does "Audiovisual interaction in waterscapes enhances restorative effects by 25%" matter for design?
Understanding how multisensory experiences in natural or designed environments impact user well-being is crucial for creating more effective and engaging spaces. This insight can inform the design of public parks, therapeutic gardens, and even virtual environments.
How can designers apply this research?
When designing waterscapes, prioritize the integration of natural sounds (e.g., flowing water, birdsong) with visual aesthetics to enhance user restoration and engagement.
What were the main findings?
Waterscapes with audiovisual interaction demonstrated greater restorative value.. Dynamic waterscapes attracted more visual attention, while static waterscapes offered stronger restorative effects.. Audiovisual interactions altered visual behavioral patterns when engaging with waterscapes.
What research method was used?
Mixed-methods research combining quantitative eye-tracking data with qualitative self-report measures..
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing a park or garden, ensure that water features are not only visually appealing but also incorporate natural sounds that complement the visual experience.
What are the limitations?
The study was conducted in a specific classical garden, and findings may not generalize to all types of waterscapes or cultural contexts. The long-term effects of these interactions were not assessed.