- Author
-
Collins, B. L.
- Title
- Windows and People: A Literature Survey. Psychological Reaction to Environments With and Aithout Windows. Building Science Series Report. January 30-October 1, 1974.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Report
-
NBS BSS 070
June 1975
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
-
windows; psychological effects; human ecology; reviews; daylighting; schools; hospitals; environments; psychology; safety; architecture; attitudes; illuminance
- Identifiers
- photobiology
- Abstract
- An understanding of human requirements for windows in buildings can be developed through a survey of the literature on the reaction to environments with and without windows. Evaluation of the response to a variety of windowless situations reveals that although the attitudes toward a windowless space are often somewhat unfavorable, the most adverse reaction occurs in a small, restricted and essentially static environment. This suggests that one function performed by a window is the addition of a dynamic, active quality to an interior environment. Consideration of the response to the actual presence of windows indicates that another essential function of a window is the provision of a view of the external world. Although almost any view is acceptable, there is some evidence that views with a high information content are preferable. In addition, windows admit illumination, in the form of daylight and sunshine which furnish a dynamic, changing character to a room.