I feel tremendously silly it has come to this point, but my idea is a relatively basic bandaid to the increasing levels of obliviousness dwarves are experiencing, which is mostly against the ethic of DF of your dwarves reacting to the beautiful forms that they make.
Observation Areas, are zones designated with the [
i] key that force a dwarf to look at their surroundings at the same range of a crossbow archer, 2-3 up and 2-3 down, if the dwarf has a high range of view for example they can see further landscape, while meeting halls are re-prioritized to be social areas.
All default rooms with a furniture meeting zone (Table meeting hall, Statue garden, Zoo, Museum) have one or both of these enabled at the same time, and dwarves will visit to fufill different needs. Nessecity to view art will bring them to observation zone, and socialisation as to make friends elsewise.
Needs like viewing animals and nature are easily accessible, they just have to view either wild animals from a safe distance, tame animals (socialise with their pets) and be in range-sight of trees or plants growing for nature (preferably with a balcony to shield from the rain or behind a window.
Examples- A raised platform deck, where there is activity that dwarves like to watch (mist, bit of gladiatorial sport, concerts) and decorations (maybe a huge wall of vertical engraved murals)
- Allow dwarves to visit highly decorative rooms like the Monarch's throne room and appreciate it without disturbing or harrassing them from a little viewing gallery.
- Gives a additional purpose to glass windows being transparent, or using bars and grates as a divider.