Towards appreciating the importance of windowscapes: Evaluation and suggestion for improvement of New Zealand Building Code

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.3656

Keywords:

Windowscapes, Building code clause and acceptable solution, Health and well-being, Visual awareness of the outdoor environment

Abstract

The rapid intensification of Auckland has made our visual awareness of the outdoor environment (windowscapes) more confined and restricted. The recent changes of Auckland’s windowscapes have made the shortcomings of the New Zealand Building Code more apparent. This paper aims to demonstrate the importance of windowscapes in urban dwellers’ life and suggest some changes to the current building code to provide healthier and liveable indoor environments. First, evidence from the literature on the impact of views on building occupants’ wellbeing will be reviewed. Then, New Zealand Code Clause (G7 Natural light) and its Acceptable Solution will be critically analysed to identify areas that require improvement.
Our literature review indicates that private views are more relevant for health and wellbeing than building and planning legislation in New Zealand currently considers them to be. Hence, this paper suggests that windowscapes should become an essential part of future building codes and standards. This paper concludes that providing strict requirements regarding windowscapes is essential to building a healthier indoor environment.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Appleton, J. (1975). Landscape Evaluation: The Theoretical Vacuum. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, (66), 120–123. https://doi.org/10.2307/621625

Aries, M. B. C., Veitch, J. A., & Newsham, G. R. (2010). Windows, view, and office characteristics predict physical and psychological discomfort. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(4), 533–541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.12.004

Arenibafo, F. (2016). The Transformation of Aesthetics in Architecture from Traditional to Modern Architecture: A case study of the Yoruba (southwestern) region of Nigeria. Contemporary Urban Affairs (JCUA), 1(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.25034/1761.1(1)35-44

Benson, E. D., Hansen, J. L., Schwartz, A. L., & Smersh, G. T. (1998). Pricing Residential Amenities: The Value of a View. The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, 16(1), 55–73. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007785315925

Bodart, M., & Deneyer, A. (2004). Analyse of the survey on the office workers’ interest in windows. IEA 31- Subtask A., working document, 2004 . https://sites.uclouvain.be/eclairage-naturel/documents%20pdf/report_window_EN_final.pdf

Bringslimark, T., Hartig, T., & Patil, G. G. (2011). Adaptation to Windowlessness: Do Office Workers Compensate for a Lack of Visual Access to the Outdoors? Environment and Behavior, 43(4), 469–487. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916510368351

Brookers Building Law Handbook. (2012). New Zealand: Thomson Reuters. https://www.thomsonreuters.co.nz/brookers-building-law-handbook-2017/productdetail/125398

Butler, D. L., & Biner, P. M. (1989). Effects of Setting on Window Preferences and Factors Associated with Those Preferences. Environment and Behavior, 21(1), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916589211002

Collins, B. L. (1975). Windows and people: A literature survey. NBS Building Science Series, 70. https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/1000174

Cooper-Marcus, C. (1982). The aesthetics of family housing: the residents’ viewpoint. Landscape Res., 7, 9–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426398208706037

Damigos, D., & Anyfantis, F. (2011). The value of view through the eyes of real estate experts: A Fuzzy Delphi Approach. Landscape and Urban Planning, 101(2), 171–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.02.009

Farley, K. M., & Veitch, J. A. (2001). A room with a view: a review of the effects of windows on work and well-being. https://doi.org/10.1037/e668402012-001

Felsten, G. (2009). Where to take a study break on the college campus: An attention restoration theory perspective. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(1), 160–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.11.006

Gorman, J. (2004). Residents’ opinions on the value of street trees depending on tree location. Journal of Arboriculture, 30(1), 36–44. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjDxonrg77fAhWIWSwKHeWWDvoQFjAAegQICRAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjoa.isa-arbor.com%2Frequest.asp%3FJournalID%3D1%26ArticleID%3D123%26Type%3D2&usg=AOvVaw0lr34QAbn3QDfGHwE4aMtD

Heerwagen, J. H., & Orians, G. H. (1986). Adaptations to Windowlessness A Study of the Use of Visual Decor in Windowed and Windowless Offices. Environment and Behavior, 18(5), 623–639. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916586185003

Hellinga, H. (2013). Daylight and View: The influence of windows on the visual quality of indoor spaces (PhD thesis). Delft University of Technology. https://www.narcis.nl/research/RecordID/OND1321726

Hellinga, H., & Hordijk, T. (2008). Preferences of office workers regarding the lighting and view out of their office. In SOLG Symposium Light, Performance and Quality of Life (pp. 26–29). http://hesterhellinga.com/fileadmin/uploads/2007_Paper_SOLG_Hellinga.pdf

Heschong Mahone Group. (2003). Windows and Offices: a Study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor Environment: Technical Report. California Energy Commission. http://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/paper/ecaade2017_117

Hur, M., Nasar, J. L., & Chun, B. (2010). Neighborhood satisfaction, physical and perceived naturalness and openness. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 30(1), 52–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.05.005

Hussain, N. H. M., & Byrd, H. (2012). Towards a Compatible Landscape in Malaysia: An Idea, Challenge and Imperatives. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 35, 275–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.089

Kahn Jr., P. H., Friedman, B., Gill, B., Hagman, J., Severson, R. L., Freier, N. G., … Stolyar, A. (2008). A plasma display window?—The shifting baseline problem in a technologically mediated natural world. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28(2), 192–199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2007.10.008

Kaplan, R. (1985). Nature at the doorstep: Residential satisfaction and the nearby environment. Journal of Architectural and Planning Research. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43029477?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

Kaplan, R. (1993). The role of nature in the context of the workplace. Landscape and Urban Planning, 26(1-4), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1016/0169-2046(93)90016-7

Kaplan, R. (2001). The Nature of the View from Home. Environment and Behavior, 33(4), 507 –542. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160121973115

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: a psychological perspective. CUP Archive. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Experience-Nature-Psychological-Perspective/dp/0521341396

Kaplan, S. (1987). Aesthetics, Affect, and Cognition Environmental Preference from an Evolutionary Perspective. Environment and Behavior, 19(1), 3–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916587191001

Kaplan, S., & Kaplan, R. (1977). Humanscape: Environments for People. Ann Arbor, Mich.: Ulrichs Books. https://www.amazon.com/Humanscape-Environments-People-Rachel-Kaplan/dp/1607854260

Karmanov, D., & Hamel, R. (2008). Assessing the restorative potential of contemporary urban environment(s): Beyond the nature versus urban dichotomy. Landscape and Urban Planning, 86(2), 115–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2008.01.004

Kearney, A. R. (2006). Residential Development Patterns and Neighborhood Satisfaction Impacts of Density and Nearby Nature. Environment and Behavior, 38(1), 112–139. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916505277607

Keighley, E. C. (1973). Visual requirements and reduced fenestration in office buildings–A study of window shape. Building Science, 8(4), 311–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/0007-3628(73)90016-9

Kfir, I. Z., Munemoto, J., Sacko, O., & Kawasaki, Y. (2002). Evaluation of the view from the dwelling units on manmade islands in Osaka bay. Multiple regression analysis based on residents’ evaluation and image processing of photographs taken from the living room. Journal of Architecture, Planning & Environmental Engineering, (554), 357–364. https://doi.org/10.3130/aija.67.357

Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2001). Environment and crime in the inner city. Environment and Behavior, 33(3), 343. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916501333002

Lambe, R. A., & Smardon, R. C. (1986). Commercial highway landscape reclamation: A participatory approach. Landscape Planning, 12(4), 353–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3924(86)90003-1

Leather, P., Pyrgas, M., Beale, D., & Lawrence, C. (1998). Windows in the Workplace: Sunlight, View and Occupational Stress. Environment and Behavior, 30(6), 739–762. https://doi.org/10.1177/001391659803000601

Lohr, V. I., Pearson-Mims, C. H., Tarnai, J., & Dillman, D. A. (2004). How urban residents rate and rank the benefits and problems associated with trees in cities. Journal of Arboriculture, 30(1), 28–35. https://eurekamag.com/research/004/188/004188176.php

Lothian, A. (2000). Landscape Quality Assessment of South Australia (PhD Thesis). University of Adelaide. https://digital.library.adelaide.edu.au/dspace/handle/2440/37804

Lottrup, L., Stigsdotter, U. K., Meilby, H., & Claudi, A. G. (2013). The Workplace Window View: A Determinant of Office Workers’ Work Ability and Job Satisfaction. Landscape Research, 0(0), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2013.829806

Luttik, J. (2000). The value of trees, water and open space as reflected by house prices in the Netherlands. Landscape and Urban Planning, 48(3–4), 161–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-2046(00)00039-6

Macintyre, S., Ellaway, A., Hiscock, R., Kearns, A., Der, G., & McKay, L. (2003). What features of the home and the area might help to explain observed relationships between housing tenure and health? Evidence from the west of Scotland. Health & Place, 9(3), 207–218. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12810328

Markus, T. A. (1967). The function of windows— A reappraisal. Building Science, 2(2), 97–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/0007-3628(67)90012-6

Markus, T. A., & Gray, A. (1973). Windows in low rise, high density housing–the psychological significance of sunshine, daylight, view and visual privacy. Proceedings of Windows and Their Functions in Architectural Design, 22–27.

McLain, J., & Rogers, K. E. (1981). Windows and user preferences. Journal of Interior Design, 7(2), 7–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1668.1981.tb00497.x

Mirza, L (2014), “Water Views: The Importance of Water on Urban Landscape Preferences,” Building a Better New Zealand Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.

Mirza, L. (2015). Windowscapes: A Study of Landscape Preferences in an Urban Situation. Ph.d thesis. The University of Auckland. https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/26068

Mirza, L, Linzey M., & Byrd H. (2012), “The Impact of Urban Background on Appreciation of Natural Environments,” ICBEDC-2012: 6th International Conference and Workshop on the Built Environment in Developing Countries, Adelaide, Australia. http://eprints.lincoln.ac.uk/17461/

Moore, E. O. (1981). A prison environment’s effect on health care service demands. Journal of Environmental Systems, 11(1), 17–34. https://doi.org/10.2190/km50-wh2k-k2d1-dm69

Nagy, E., Yasunaga, S., & Kose, S. (1995). Japanese office employees’ psychological reactions to their underground and above-ground offices. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(2), 123–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90020-9

Nasar, J. L. (1983). Adult Viewers’ Preferences in Residential Scenes A Study of the Relationship of Environmental Attributes to Preference. Environment and Behavior, 15(5), 589–614. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916583155003

Nasar, J. L. (1987). The effect of sign complexity and coherence on the perceived quality of retail scenes. Journal of the American Planning Association, 53(4), 499–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944368708977139

Nasar, J. L. (1988). Perception and evaluation of residential street scenes. Environmental Aesthetics: Theory, Research, and Application, 275–289. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511571213.026

Nasar, J. L. (1998). The evaluative image of the city. Sage Publications Thousand Oaks, CA. https://www.amazon.com/Evaluative-Image-City-Jack-Nasar/dp/0803954476

Nasar, J. L. (2000). The evaluative image of places. Person-Environment Psychology: New Directions and Perspectives, 117–168. https://books.google.es/books?id=bQAiAwAAQBAJ

Ne’Eman, E. (1974). Visual aspects of sunlight in buildings. Lighting Research and Technology, 6(3), 159–164. https://doi.org/10.1177/096032717400600304

Nichols, K. W. (1977). Urban office buildings: view variables. In D. J. Conway (Ed.), Human response to tall building (pp. 72–80). https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Roziah_Mohd_Rasdi/publication/256028112_The_Choice_of_Sustainable_Housing_Towards_Sustainable_Development_A_Case_Study_in_Malaysia/links/0046352fb6ec6c137b000000/The-Choice-of-Sustainable-Housing-Towards-Sustainable-Development-A-Case-Study-in-Malaysia.pdf

O’Connor, B. P., Davidson, H., & Gifford, R. (1991). Window View, Social Exposure and Nursing Home Adaptation. Canadian Journal on Aging/La Revue Canadienne Du Vieillissement, 10(03), 216–223. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980800005298

Ozdemir, A. (2010). The effect of window views’ openness and naturalness on the perception of rooms’ spaciousness and brightness: A visual preference study. Scientific Research and Essays, 5(16), 2275–2287. https://academicjournals.org/journal/SRE/article-abstract/C49A20017716

Purcell, T., Peron, E., & Berto, R. (2001). Why do preferences differ between scene types? Environment and Behavior, 33(1), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.1177/00139160121972882

Radikovic, A. S. (2005). A true virtual window. Texas A&M University. http://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/1451

Rahbarianyazd, R. (2017). Sustainability in Historic Urban Environments: Effect of gentrification in the process of sustainable urban revitalization. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 1(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.25034/1761.1(1)1-9

Samarasinghe, O. E., & Sharp, B. M. H. (2008). The value of a view: A spatial hedonic analysis. New Zealand Economic Papers, 42(1), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1080/00779950809544413

Schiffenbauer, A. (1979). Designing for High-Density Living. In J. R. Aiello & A. Baum (Eds.), Residential Crowding and Design (pp. 229–240). Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2967-1_16

Shin, W. S. (2007). The influence of forest view through a window on job satisfaction and job stress. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 22(3), 248–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827580701262733

Shoemaker, C. A. (Ed.). (2002). Interaction by Design: Bringing People and Plants Together for Heatlh and Well-Being (1st ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Interaction+by+Design%3A+Bringing+People+and+Plants+Together+for+Health+and+Well+Being%3A+An+International+Symposium-p-9780813803234

Smardon, R. C., & Goukas, M. M. (1984). Village of North Syracuse main street assessment study. Occasional Paper ESF, 84–010. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/33897008_Village_of_North_Syracuse_Main_Street_assessment_study

Stamps, A. E. (1997). Some streets of San Francisco: preference effects of trees, cars, wires, and buildings. Environment and Planning B, 24, 81–94. https://doi.org/10.1068/b240081

Taylor, A., Kuo, F. E., & Sullivan, W. C. (2002). Views of nature and self-discipline: Evidence from inner city childern. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 22(1-2), 49–63. https://doi.org/10.1006/jevp.2001.0241

Tennessen, C. M., & Cimprich, B. (1995). Views to nature: Effects on attention. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(1), 77–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90016-0

Tuaycharoen, N. (2006). The Reduction of Discomfort Glare from Windows by Interesting Views. University of Sheffield, School of Architecture. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/14497/

Tuaycharoen, N., & Tregenza, P. R. (2005). Discomfort glare from interesting images. Lighting Research and Technology, 37(4), 329–338. https://doi.org/10.1191/1365782805li147oa

Tuaycharoen, N., & Tregenza, P. R. (2007). View and discomfort glare from windows. Lighting Research and Technology, 39(2), 185–200. https://doi.org/10.1177/1365782807077193

Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224(4647), 420. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/43df/b42bc2f7b212eb288d2e7be289d251f15bfd.pdf

Van den Berg, A. E., Koole, S. L., & van der Wulp, N. Y. (2003). Environmental preference and restoration:(How) are they related?. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23(2), 135–146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00111-1

Velarde, M. D., Fry, G., & Tveit, M. (2007). Health effects of viewing landscapes – Landscape types in environmental psychology. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 6(4), 199–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2007.07.001

Verderber, S. (1986). Dimensions of Person-Window Transactions in the Hospital Environment. Environment and Behavior, 18(4), 450–466. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916586184002

Weber, R., Schnier, J., & Jacobsen, T. (2008). Aesthetics of streetscapes: Influence of fundamental properties on aesthetic judgments of urban space. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 106(1), 128–146. https://doi.org/10.2466/pms.106.1.128-146

Wells, B. W. P. (1965). Subjective responses to the lighting installation in a modern office building and their design implications. Building Science, 1(1), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/0007-3628(65)90006-X

White, M., Smith, A., Humphryes, K., Pahl, S., Snelling, D., & Depledge, M. (2010). Blue space: The importance of water for preference, affect, and restorativeness ratings of natural and built scenes. Journal of Environmental Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.04.004

Wolf, K. L. (2003). Freeway roadside management: the urban forest beyond the white line. Journal of Arboriculture, 29(3), 127–136. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/34956

Yu, S., Han, S., & Chai, C. (2007). Modelling the value of view in high-rise apartments: a 3D GIS approach. Environment and Planning B Planning and Design, 34(1), 139. https://doi.org/10.1068/b32116

Downloads

Published

2018-06-01

How to Cite

Mirza, L., & Byrd, H. (2018). Towards appreciating the importance of windowscapes: Evaluation and suggestion for improvement of New Zealand Building Code. Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, 2(1), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.25034/ijcua.2018.3656