A framework to assess window view quality

What makes a good view? It is no secret that given the choice, people generally prefer to sit near a window. Windows provide a sense of visual connection to the outdoors, but its effects extend beyond human vision. We?experimentally?demonstrated that a window view could positively affect thermal comfort, emotion, and cognitive performance. While many research studies emphasize the benefits of having a good view, designing for window views is no easy endeavor. Depending on multiple factors such as the outdoor landscape and interior window design, the quality of window views will invariably change, which may affect people differently. Therefore, to understand what makes a good view, we first must ask other fundamental questions, including: How can we assess the quality of a window view? how much view do we need in order to be satisfied? How do fa?ade materials affect the view quality? Answers to these questions (and more) can be found in our latest article (here).

We developed a framework for what constitutes “view quality”. This was based upon +100 building standards, green certification systems, and scientific studies, merging the latest advances in window view research with mainstream design recommendations. At the core of our framework sits three primary variables: View Content (the assessment of visual features seen in the window view); View Access (the measure of how much of the view can be seen through the window from the occupant’s position); and View Clarity (the assessment of how clear the view content appears in the window view when seen by an occupant). Each variable plays an important role in determining the overall quality of a window view at different stages of the building design and during its operation. We described the most important characteristics of each variable and proposed design recommendations along with a conceptual index that can evaluate the quality of a window view.

While our framework serves as a basis for window view design and research, we identified several knowledge gaps. Many important aspects have not been studied. Therefore, our work will not only help bridge past and present efforts, but also aims to shape the future of window view research.

10-min video:?https://youtu.be/1kRbGf7945Q

Paper:?Won Hee Ko, Michael Kent, Stefano Schiavon, Brendon Levitt, Giovanni Betti, 2021. A Window View Quality Assessment Framework. LEUKOS, 1-26.?free version

Acknowledgment:?This study was supported by the Center for the Built Environment (CBE) at the University of California, Berkeley; and the Republic of Singapore’s National Research Foundation through a grant to the Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS) for the Singapore-Berkeley Building Efficiency and Sustainability in the Tropics (SinBerBEST) Program. We want to thank Lisa Heschong, Prof. Peter Tregenza, and the CBE industry partners for their feedback on this work.