IES 2021 Annual Conference

The visual environment impacts our health in many ways. Daily exposure to patterns of daylight clearly influences our circadian rhythms, via natural variation in spectrum, intensity, duration and timing. But, what about the view out of a window? What role do views play in our visual environment?  How might they impact not only visual comfort, but also occupant health and well-being?

While IES recommendations may talk about the importance of views, window views have been left out of more rigorous methods of analysis and evaluation. This discussion will explore new evidence about how window views may influence occupant comfort, satisfaction, productivity, and even long-term health. The IES is uniquely positioned to address these issues as part of the quality of the visual environment.