A window view quality assessment framework (2010.07025v7)

Abstract: The views that windows provide from inside a building affect human health and well-being. Although window view is an important element of architecture, there is no established framework to guide its design. The literature is widely dispersed across different disciplinary fields, and there is a need to coalesce this information into a framework that can be applied into the building design. Based on the literature, we present a framework for what constitutes 'view quality.' At the basis of our framework, we propose 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 was thematically derived from different sources including daylighting standards, green certification systems, and scientific research studies. We describe the most important characteristics of each variable, and from our review of the literature, we propose a conceptual index that can evaluate the quality of a window view. While discussing the index, we summarize design recommendations for integrating these three variables into the building process and identify knowledge gaps for future research.

• The paper introduces a comprehensive framework for assessing window view quality, categorizing attributes into three key variables: View Content, View Access, and View Clarity.
• The framework offers practical implications for architectural design, aiding in planning, facade selection, and retrofitting to balance environmental and occupant needs.
• The study provides a theoretical foundation for future research in environmental psychology and human-centric design, highlighting gaps and urging interdisciplinary collaboration for quantifiable assessment systems.

Assessment Framework for Window View Quality in Architectural Design

The paper entitled "A window view quality assessment framework," accepted by LEUKOS, presents an intriguing discourse on evaluating window views within architectural settings. Engaging with interdisciplinary literature, the authors devise a meticulous framework categorizing attributes of "view quality" into three primary variables: View Content, View Access, and View Clarity. This framework is distilled from extensive sources, including daylighting standards and green certification systems, aiming to consolidate fragmented research into a comprehensive guideline. The paper asserts the need for such a framework by outlining its implications on both architectural design and occupant well-being, thus filling a significant void in existing building standards.

Framework Overview

The proposed framework introduces three pivotal dimensions to assess window views:

1. View Content: This encompasses the visual features visible from the window, including natural elements like greenery and urban features such as structures. The authors emphasize the health benefits and psychological advantages of nature-infused scenes, supported by existing empirical evidence. Indicators such as physical characteristics and horizontal stratification—the layers seen across the view—are vital to estimating content quality. While many standards lack granularity in precisely defining these attributes, the authors attempt to encapsulate them through an index system.
2. View Access: This refers to the quantum of the view accessible to an observer, strongly impacted by geometric configurations of both the occupant's position and window dimensions. Strategies to quantify access include view angle measurements, viewing distances, and spatial assessment methods—in particular, the field metrics widely used in current certifications such as LEED. The paper calls for a harmonized metric that can unify these measurements to more accurately reflect occupant experience.
3. View Clarity: This dimension evaluates the transparency and quality of the view influenced by window design and materials like glazing and shading devices. The authors propose a View Clarity Index, accounting for elements like the openness of window shades and their material properties. This facet aims to incorporate more empirical research into understanding how clarity affects occupant satisfaction and visual comfort.

Practical and Theoretical Implications

Architectural design processes can substantially benefit from this framework, especially in initial planning stages, facade material selection, and retrofitting efforts. By integrating the framework, practitioners can design buildings responsive to both environmental and occupant needs, optimizing natural light access while mitigating adverse effects like glare or poor visual connectivity. The authors provide preliminary design considerations to operationalize this framework, suggesting a multi-layered focus in building layouts to maintain balance across all three aspects of window quality.

Theoretically, the framework offers a foundation for future studies on environmental psychology and human-centric building design. It highlights several research gaps for subsequent exploration, such as the need for specified threshold levels for satisfactory clarity and access, and the influence of perceptual qualities like dynamic environmental features on overall view quality. Furthermore, the paper underscores the importance of developing quantifiable systems representing these thresholds, urging interdisciplinary collaboration to elevate the framework's applicability in diverse contexts.

Future Developments

Moving forward, the authors anticipate enhancements in both technological methodologies and interdisciplinary research will enable more precise and robust assessments of window view quality. Emerging technologies in computer vision and virtual simulations could further refine content analysis, while adaptive design practices incorporate dynamic shading systems to adjust view clarity in real-time. These advancements portend significant strides in both architectural innovation and empirical understanding of the human-environment interaction.

In conclusion, this paper provides a robust framework that not only addresses a gap in current architectural practices but also aligns with evolving paradigms emphasizing occupant health and well-being in the built environment. By leveraging diverse streams of research and proposing an organized index for evaluation, the paper establishes a foundational model to guide both immediate design strategies and long-term research trajectories in building performance evaluation.