Abstract
This paper presents a computational method for spatial visualization and probability evaluations of window view access in architecture based on human eyes’ vision fields and biophilic recommendations. Window view access establishes occupants’ visual connections to outdoors. Window view access has not, yet, been discussed in terms of the typical vision fields and related visual experiences. Occupants’ views of outdoors could change from almost blocked and poor to good, wide, and immersive visions in relation to the binocular focus to monocular (far-) peripheral sights of human eyes. The proposed methodological framework includes spatial visualizations and cumulative distribution functions of window view access based on visual experiences of occupants. The framework is integrated with biophilic recommendations and existing rating systems for view evaluations. As a pilot study, the method is used to evaluate occupants’ view access in a space designed with 15 different configurations of windows and overhangs. Results characterize likelihood of experiencing various field of views (FOVs) in case studies. In particular, window-to-wall-area ratios of between 40% and 70% offer optimum distributions of view access in space by offering 75% likelihoods of experiencing good to wide views and less than 25% probabilities of exposing to poor and almost blocked views. Results show the contribution of the proposed method to informative decision-making processes in architecture.
Highlights
field of views (FOVs) or vertical FOVs, i.e., above ±120◦ view angles for the both eyes, which covers the far-peripheral vision field of each eye and eye bulb, or head rotations are required for individuals to see the entire immersed scene
This paper developed a methodological framework for window view access in architecture based on the typical vision fields of human eyes and biophilia
The pilot study with 15 case studies showed the efficiency of the presented method in spatial visualization and probability evaluations of occupants’ visual experiences towards the window and outdoors
Summary
This research focuses on window view access of occupants in architecture as a primary element of visual connections to outdoors. Outdoor views are essential features of biophilic architecture and healthy buildings. The theory of biophilia articulates the inherent tendency of humans to connect with nature and naturalistic features, outside buildings [3,4,5] Viewing outdoors through windows could establish occupants’ visual connections to natural phenomena outside buildings [3,5,6,7]. Biophilic recommendations for outdoor views could contribute to occupants’ wellbeing, such as (i) increasing positive, physical, emotional, and cognitive responses and decreasing negative emotions [9,10,11,12,13], 4.0/).
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