Can illusory nature replace nature in an interior? A preliminary case study in urban Indonesia / ¿Puede la naturaleza ilusoria sustituir a la naturaleza en un interior? Un estudio de caso preliminar en la Indonesia urbana

Abstract

Urban dwellers spend most of their time indoors, limiting exposure to natural environments known to support psychological well-being. In response, cost-effective biophilic strategies, such as green walls and trompe-l’oeil visual representations of nature, have gained relevance, particularly in restaurants with spatial or budgetary constraints. While the restorative value of real vegetation is well established, the psychological impact of illusory nature remains underexplored. This study employed a within-subject experimental design to assess three ambience conditions — green walls, illusory nature and a no-nature control — on four mood outcomes: Sadness–Depression, Anxiety, Anger–Hostility and Happiness. Mood was measured using the Scale for Mood Assessment (EVEA), and data were collected online via photographic stimuli derived from an actual restaurant interior. Results showed that the trompe-l’oeil condition was the most effective at reducing Anger–Hostility and enhancing Happiness, while the no-nature condition elicited the highest negative moods. Although green walls were beneficial, they were less impactful. Visually rich simulations may serve as viable substitutes for living greenery in certain design contexts.