Eye Movements in Architecture and Environmental Design: A Review of Methods, Applications, and Future Directions

Eye movement research has emerged as a powerful tool in architectural and environmental design, offering insights into how people visually engage with built and natural surroundings. Eye tracking technology enables the study of visual attention, user engagement, and navigation patterns, thereby informing user-centered design. This paper reviews a wide and vast body of research that demonstrates eye tracking’s capacity to inform architectural and environmental design decisions by providing objective, data-driven insights into human perception and interaction with the built world. Key methodologies are discussed, including desktop, mobile, and VR-based systems, as well as recent advances in software analytics and artificial intelligence. Beyond summarizing the existing literature, this review critically evaluates methodological approaches, identifies key challenges, and outlines future research directions. The key findings indicate increased integration of immersive technologies, diversification of analytical paradigms, and expanded application in sustainable and user-centered design. However, methodological heterogeneity, limited ecological validation, and insufficient integration with design optimization frameworks remain significant limitations. This review provides a structured foundation for advancing interdisciplinary research and enhancing evidence-based architectural design. The paper concludes by outlining a forward-looking research agenda for creating more responsive, intuitive, and human-centered environments.