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Guideline I.7: View Space and Window Access

Intent

To provide focal relief and promote a connection the outdoor environment. A distant interior focal point-of-view to the outdoors can help reduce eyestrain and dry eyes from computer-based work, and building occupants who can connect to the outdoors experience greater productivity, attentiveness, and satisfaction. Outdoor views also provide a connection to environmental cues that support natural circadian rhythms.

Required Performance Criteria

Guidelines apply to all New Construction projects and for Major Renovations that include replacement or construction of relevant assemblies.

  1. For focal relief, provide a direct line of sight to vision glazing or interior focal point for 75% of all regularly occupied floor area. Area contributing to the 75% requirement should include a view of objects at least 25 ft. from occupant location.
  2. To foster a connection to the outdoor environment, provide direct or borrowed access to vision glazing in 75% of all regularly occupied spaces. Vision glazing must have a clear and unobstructed view to the exterior and include at least one of the following:
    1. Movement (may be vehicular or human movement outside of subject area)
    2. Flora
    3. Fauna
    4. Sky
    5. Water

Recommended Performance Criteria

  1. Foster a connection to the outdoor environment by providing direct or borrowed access to vision glazing in all regularly occupied spaces. Vision glazing must have a clear and unobstructed view to the exterior and include at least one of the following:
    1. Movement (may be vehicular or human movement outside of subject area)
    2. Flora
    3. Fauna
    4. Sky
    5. Water
  2. Provide operable windows:
    1. In offices, all workstations should be within 30 ft. of an operable window.
    2. Provide operable windows in all dwelling units.

During Predesign and schematic design, work with client to identify desirable outdoor views. If no desirable views are possible, consider an interior courtyard space. As design progresses, consider the placement of program spaces as they relate to views to the exterior or to an interior courtyard. As floorplans are developed, note the floor areas in regularly occupied spaces and the corresponding requirements for access to vision glazing. Map sightlines and floor area with view access. Include permanently installed furniture in consideration of sightlines and views. If following recommended performance criteria, identify which facades or window areas can be operable, and arrange program spaces to provide access to operable windows from workstations and in dwelling units.

Design:

  • 7A: Submit preliminary floor plans for regularly occupied floor area, with identified sight lines to focal points at least 25 ft. from occupant location(s).
  • 7B and I.7C: Create preliminary plan indicating floor area served, vision glazing contributing to compliance, and view availability of at least one of the listed items.

Final Design:

  • 7A: Submit final design floor plans for regularly occupied floor area, with identified sight lines to focal points at least 25 ft. from occupant location(s).
  • 7B and I.7C: Create final design plan indicating floor area served, vision glazing contributing to compliance, and view availability of at least two of the listed items.
  • 7D: Create plan demonstrating workstation distance to operable windows for regularly occupied spaces and in dwelling units if provided.

Borrowed Views:

Exterior view achieved through another interior space, particularly through transparent or partial height workstation and room partitions.

Regularly Occupied Space:

Any space that is occupied by one or more persons for more than one hour during days the building is in use. Note that this includes spaces which may be irregularly occupied but, when occupied, a typical occupant would spend more than one continual hour in the space. Excluded from calculation of continuously occupied spaces are:

  • Spaces with uses that only require minimal lighting and in which the primary activity intended for the space would be harmed by daylight (this exclusion does not apply to spaces with ultraviolet light concerns) – note that this only applies to the calculation of regularly occupied spaces with respect to the daylighting requirements.
  • Spaces that do not meet the minimum occupancy outlined above during daylight hours) – note that this only applies to the calculation of regularly occupied spaces for the daylighting criteria with respect to the daylighting requirements.
  • Spaces where no individual occupant spends at least one continual hour during days the building is in use.

Vision Glazing:

Vision glazing refers to glazing which permits an unobstructed view to the exterior. Typical vision glazing does not have perceptible tint or other modification that would impede these views and is installed between 2.5 ft. and 7.5 ft. above the floor height.

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