SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Accessibility and Wellness

Topic

Comfort, Views, and Acoustics

Question #

A2.3 – Visual Elements

Question

Have the visual elements in the building been reviewed to identify and recognize improvement opportunities within the past five years?

Applicability

Office, Healthcare, Universal
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building – areas managed by the owner/landlord

Answer & Scoring

  • Yes = Points as indicated below

Select all that apply:

    • Review conducted of access to views and natural light = 1 point
    • Review conducted of quality of electric light = 1 point
    • Review conducted on glare control devices = 1 point
    • Low and no-cost corrective actions addressed = 1 point
    • Plan in place to address higher cost corrective actions (such as natural features in building e.g. living wall, plants etc.) = 1 point
  • No recommendations made – Demonstrate how the building has the best visual elements possible = 2 points
  • Not Applicable – Tenant occupied building: No areas managed by the owner/landlord = 0/0

Max of 3 points

Requirements

List the visual environment elements that have been reviewed within owner/landlord-controlled areas and summarize qualitative observations as applicable:

  • Access to views and natural light, including views, lines of sight to natural landscapes, daylight, interior or exterior natural features (e.g., biophilia)
  • Quality of electric light, including visible light transmittance of glazing, intensity and spectrum of electric light, lighting controls, lighting zones, lighting schedule- glare control devices, including manual or automated shading, luminaire shields to prevent glare, and any other visual elements not listed
  • Provide the date of review, the name and role of the reviewer (may be internal), the reason for the review (tenant request, tenant complaint, landlord initiative, existing feature, or other) and a summary of findings

Documentation

  • List with descriptions and observations of visual elements reviewed
  • Explanation why any areas were excluded

Suggested Lead

In-house to review, third-party support consultants

Value

  • Visual elements in a space can play a significant role in occupant well-being. Good quality artificial lighting, access to views and daylight, natural landscapes, and biophilic interior design can all improve occupant comfort
  • Perform an in-house assessment of the quality of visual elements at their building
  • Third-party professionals can be engaged if building management teams do not have the resources to complete the review
  • Based on the results of the review, implement corrective actions to improve occupant well-being

Description

A property’s visual environment includes factors, such as the quality of light, daylighting, access to views, natural landscapes, or biophilic interior design elements.

A healthy visual environment is vital for many physiological processes including performance and alertness, sleep-wake cycles, hormone regulation, and immune system function.

It is suggested that owner or landlords collaborate with tenants to assess opportunities for addressing visual environment.

Building management can implement measures to promote balanced and comfortable access to natural light and views and reduced glare, supplemented by high quality electric light to positively impact occupants’ experience. Enhancements may be a co-benefit of other building improvements, such as lighting upgrades.

References

None

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

Question 05.05.01 – Are features that attempt to simulate the natural environment installed in commonly occupied base-building areas?