Center for the Built Environment

The quality of window views influences building occupants’ well-being, yet little is known about what constitutes high view quality. We investigated eight factors: number of layers visible, presence of nature, object-to-glazing distance, observer proxy, window-to-wall ratio, horizontal and vertical view angles, and blind position. We conducted a human subject experiment in which 69 participants each evaluated 15 window views and rated their satisfaction. Views with equal to or more than 35% greenery or sky and unobstructed clear glazing were strongly associated with higher satisfaction. Blind position emerged as a key moderator, shaping how other factors influenced view quality. Under clear glazing, increasing the proportion of nature elements and extending the distance of visible objects from the glazing significantly improved satisfaction. However, when blinds were lowered, these changes offered no benefit. We also found that compliance with the LEED Quality Views guideline meaningfully increased satisfaction, particularly the requirement for unobstructed glazing. Based on these findings, we propose revisions to strengthen the current guidelines by establishing a baseline condition using the ratio of nature in the view and the horizontal and vertical view angles, along with threshold combinations involving the distance between outside objects and the glazing, the observer’s distance to the window, and the blind condition.