The Science behind beautiful views

Your brain on nature: The science behind beautiful views

At Al Qana, we aim to blend stunning natural scenery with the aesthetically pleasing architecture of the various buildings throughout the destination. But have you ever wondered why nature is so visually stimulating and what keeps us coming back? While developing the most anticipated Abu Dhabi waterfront destination, we looked into some of the scientific thought behind why humans universally love nature.

The phenomenon behind why people seek connections with nature and their surroundings is known as the biophilia hypothesis. While through experience and culture, there is also an evolutionary concept that suggests we are inbuilt with an innate desire to be at peace with nature. This explains the reason we choose to adorn our homes with elements of nature such as plants, natural scents, and paintings of nature scenes. When we conceptualised Al Qana, our objective was to make a social impact through nature and improve the standard and quality of living in Abu Dhabi.

For many people living and working in Abu Dhabi, a typical day is spent confined to the office, where the closest sight of nature is the backdrop on their computer/phone screen. Our desire to remain connected with the environment seems to be an intrinsic part of our biology, however maintaining such busy schedules can leave us with little time to get out and enjoy our environment. This is why Al Qana is bringing a picturesque landscape architecture to the heart of Abu Dhabi. Whether you are visiting Al Qana for its marina view, restaurants or just to experience our VR hub you are sure to fall in love with our waterfront oasis.

Nature has a powerful effect on the mind, in fact; nature evokes a grounding experience on humans, bringing about a meditative state distinguished by feelings of tranquillity, harmony, and serenity. Exposure to nature not only affects your mood, but it also enhances physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones. Hence Al Qana wants to bring happiness to our community and encourage social interactions between residents and visitors, and support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming one of the most liveable cities in the world by 2021.