The order/variety observation is absolutely right, and a core feature of practical aesthetics across all domains. Successful aesthetics are a fine balance between surprise and predictability. Even something as basic as proportion is based on comprehensible non-random relationships.
The Wundt Curve describes how too much order and too much chaos are both unsettling/boring.
The South Bank Centre is on the Thames and is decorated with trees, and the Barbican has a central water feature and garden.
They're also fairly opulent on the inside.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/imageserver/image/%2Fmethode%2Fti...
Trellick and Balfron Towers have some trees now, but didn't have much greenery when they originally opened.
https://designanthologyuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web...
The order/variety observation is absolutely right, and a core feature of practical aesthetics across all domains. Successful aesthetics are a fine balance between surprise and predictability. Even something as basic as proportion is based on comprehensible non-random relationships.
The Wundt Curve describes how too much order and too much chaos are both unsettling/boring.
https://researchportal.port.ac.uk/files/8060373/COXj_2017_cr...