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BEAM P
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UALITY
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IEQ 10 V
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Copyright © BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved. Page 118
An investigation [
1]into the potential contributions of windows and
daylight to improved performance by office workers found that having
a better view out of a window was consistently associated with better
worker performance. Office workers were found to perform 10% to
25% better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they
had the best possible view versus those with no view. Furthermore,
office worker self reports of better health conditions were strongly
associated with better views. Reports of increased fatigue were most
strongly associated with a lack of view.
For students, findings [
2] clearly support the theory that interesting
views to outside enhance, rather than detract, from student learning.
An appropriate approach to interior fit-out is to arrange high height
panels and similar obstructions perpendicular to vision glazing, with
low height or suitably glazed (clear) panels arranged parallel with the
vision glazing in order to maintain views to the outside for
workstations located away from exterior walls.
Fig. 1. Determination of viewable vision glazing for each workstation
1
California Energy Commission. Windows and Offices: a Study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor
Environment. 2003.
2
California Energy Commission. Windows and Classrooms: A Study of Student Performance and the Indoor
Environment, 2003.
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