Quality views of the external environment are essential for human well-being, yet their role in promoting non-visual effects is underexplored. While window views are often evaluated based on their aesthetic and psychological benefits, they also influence physiological processes through light’s impact on the circadian system. This study investigates the non-visual potential of views by analyzing field-collected physical data from 476 daylight and window view conditions across two distinct campus environments in the U.S. Sky coverage and externally reflected components (ERC), were assessed alongside vertical photopic illuminance, Circadian Stimulus (CS), and Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (M-EDI) metrics. Results indicate that higher sky coverage within a window view is associated with higher non-visual potential, even when vertical illuminance levels are similar. In contrast, views dominated by ERC, particularly those with man-made surfaces or tree reflections located close to the window, can reduce non-visual potential even when they provide higher illuminance compared to other views. Interestingly, M-EDI showed stricter thresholds than CS, with differences in variation patterns across illuminance ranges. Views with a balanced composition of the sky and external elements positioned at appropriate distances offered optimal non-visual performance, supporting daylighting design principles that encourage windows with higher placements for light entry. These findings highlight the importance of integrating sky coverage and spectral reflectance into view quality assessments. The noticeable effect of minimal sky coverage located in the peripheral visual field at higher positions indicates the importance of composition when evaluating window view quality. Additionally, maximizing tree views must be balanced with its distance to the windows and adequate sky coverage to enhance non-visual effects of light. Future research will further refine these relationships by analyzing additional view parameters through statistical methods and human-participant studies using virtual reality. This integrated approach informs human-centered design strategies through thoughtful daylighting and window view optimization.

The ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2020 described a new adaptive comfort standard for thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy. These conditions allow warmer indoor temperatures for naturally ventilated buildings in warm climatic zones. This is a field study in two naturally ventilated educational buildings located on two continents in similar climatic zones, namely, southern California and the equatorial highland regions of Nairobi, Kenya. The environmental factors that were collected were temperature, thermal radiation, humidity, air speed and personal factors of clothing and activity. Other related non-thermal factors of indoor air quality, architectural acoustics, lighting, biologics and chemical factors that could affect comfort and health were not collected. Two sample schools were modelled using building information modelling (BIM). Simulations were done using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to study air flow and thermal comfort. Measured data were gathered in the school building in California for comparison and validation. The paper summarizes some measured observations made using 100 college students working in their regular settings using existing adaptive comfort research. Some of the findings are that for naturally ventilated buildings, the process of getting the adaptive comfort needs careful interpretation in order to avoid energy-consuming mechanical HVAC systems based on the comfort settings of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-2020. The study confirms that when humans are considered as laboratory subjects, they tend to have a universally agreeable thermal comfort range about 65°F – 78°F (18.3°C-25.6°C) but when they are given more control of their living or workspace, the comfort range widens. The cost benefit of energy-savings potential and improved indoor air quality are real for developing regions for the peoples living in socially, economically, culturally and technologically divergent regions. Finally, the paper discusses possible new directions for building science researchers, architects and engineers for the improvement of building environmental control systems.

This research challenges traditional park design and vacant lot revitalization through the development of a performance-based design process. The study area of this paper is in Carroll Park, West Philadelphia, a sensitive neighborhood to extreme heat events and lack of quality green spaces (Hammer et al. 2020). Performance-based parameters leveraged in this research focused on improving thermal comfort by investigating the mean radiant temperature Tmrt and air temperature Ta , increase connectivity between the study area and community, and improving air quality by reducing CO2 levels (Gál and Kántor 2020a). Results showed that Tmrt was reduced from 27.86 °C – 30.89 °C to 23.90 °C – 26.43 °C after design interventions were introduced. The Ta decreased from 24.72 °C – 25.12 °C to 24.56 °C – 24.77 °C. The dynamic comfort walking simulations indicated that skin temperature fell by up to -0.350 K/min, compared to existing conditions which saw an increase by up to 0.600 K/min, consequently, the sweat rate decreased from 40g/h – 19g/h to 40g/h – 0g/h between a 5-minute period. The combination of design interventions improved comfort by decreasing Tmrt compared to strategies in isolation. High albedo materials increased Tmrt, but when combined with trees to provide shade, Tmrt increase was lessened as previously proven (Sinsel et al. 2021). The proposed design of this research prioritized natural interventions to mitigate heat, but also reduce CO2 levels between 0.01 mg/m3 – 0.24mg/m3. The most effective design strategies were passive street-level interventions, this included trees and sail and canopy structures, which reduced the Tmrt between 2 °C - 5 °C. The application of this research can contribute to design processes for traditionally conceptualized parks and vacant lots with performance-based metrics to improve thermal comfort, connectivity, and air quality of urban environments.

Societal priorities and architectural practices have significantly shaped the built environment. In contemporary urban commercial buildings across the United States, a clear trend has emerged toward sealed structures that rely exclusively on mechanical systems to maintain ‘optimal’ indoor conditions. As a result, humans have transformed into an indoor species, increasingly disconnected from the natural world. With growing evidence of the adverse effects of unhealthy indoor spaces, it has become essential to challenge the rigid divide between inside and out and foster a connection with the natural rhythms of the outside world.

This paper provides a critical review of existing semi-outdoor spaces, such as porches and courtyards, as potential sites for fostering a more dynamic and heterogeneous built environment. Rather than merely serving as threshold conditions, these spaces offer opportunities to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environments, encouraging healthier and more adaptable architectural solutions. By recontextualizing the role of semi-outdoor spaces in architecture, this research calls for a renewed approach to designing urban indoor spaces that prioritize genuine connections with nature. Ultimately, this paper seeks to inspire new perspectives on adaptable architecture within urban settings, advocating for spaces connected with nature rather than attempting to replicate it indoors.