The aim of this paper is to obtain an architectural understanding of openable windows in a work place, but it will focus more on openable windows in connection with human well-being. This topic is of contemporary value, since technological innovations have changed architectural structures, in which artificial lights are mostly integrated in providing light distribution to a workplace. A review of why people feel better when they are in a room in which windows can be opened at any time is also included.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
2.1. Windows versus Windowless Structure
2.2. Openable Windows
3. Conclusion
4. References
Research Objectives and Key Themes
This paper examines the architectural significance of openable windows in workplace environments, specifically focusing on their direct impact on employee well-being and productivity. It explores how natural ventilation and access to daylight, facilitated by openable window designs, serve as critical factors in enhancing human health and comfort within modern building structures.
- The relationship between architectural design and human well-being.
- The physiological and psychological effects of windowed versus windowless workspaces.
- Individual control over microclimates and its correlation with self-rated productivity.
- Technical challenges and hybrid ventilation solutions for cold climate architecture.
- Regulatory guidelines regarding the installation of openable windows in workplaces.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Windows versus Windowless Structure
The trends in energy conservation in structural designs during the early 70s initiated the awareness of the effects of windows on human wellness. Collins (1975) argued that windows not only provided light and air but health benefits, such as relief from boredom, claustrophobia and other psychological illnesses that might lead to physical diseases (p 2). During the early research on the effects of windows, experts focused on comparing windowless buildings and those with windows and, according to Nimnicht (1966), the disadvantages of windowless buildings were their negative psychological effects on individuals. In workplaces, employees who work in a windowless office tend to complain about poor ventilation, lack of stimulation and boredom or feeling depressed (Ruy, 1970). However, Collins (1975) noted that it is satisfactory for some establishments such as department stores, theatres and cinemas to be without windows, since these structures have large interior space and people can move freely compared to workplaces, in which employees remain stationary for long periods of time. Generally, people prefer a structure with windows for psychological reasons (Collins, 1975), studies show that employees prefer to work in a place where they can access a view of the outside. Over the years, experts have continuously studied the effects of windows on individuals specifically in the work environments, and Sato and Unui (1994) found that offices without windows could affect employee performances, eye movements and reposing behaviour. These can be detrimental to an individual’s health since human well-being is affected.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter establishes the connection between architectural design and human well-being, highlighting the importance of natural light and environmental factors in workplace settings.
2. Literature Review: This section reviews existing research on the psychological and physical benefits of windows, comparing windowless environments with those that offer natural light and ventilation.
2.1. Windows versus Windowless Structure: This subsection details historical research and findings regarding the psychological impact of working in windowless offices compared to buildings with external views.
2.2. Openable Windows: This subsection focuses on the specific advantages of operable windows, including individual control over the office microclimate and the resulting increase in employee productivity.
3. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the necessity of integrating openable windows into building designs as a strategy to support worker health, fitness, and overall productivity.
4. References: A comprehensive list of academic sources and industry reports used to substantiate the arguments presented in the study.
Keywords
Openable windows, architectural design, workplace strategy, human well-being, natural ventilation, indoor environmental quality, daylight, employee productivity, windowless structures, Building Related Illness, microclimate, personal control, sustainable architecture, Building Related Illness, structural design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper primarily focuses on the architectural understanding of openable windows and their essential connection to human well-being and productivity within workplace environments.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The core themes include architectural design, environmental psychology, indoor air quality, natural ventilation, and the impact of daylight on hormonal regulation and psychological health.
What is the central research goal?
The goal is to determine how the design of openable windows influences worker health and whether providing employees with control over their immediate office environment leads to measurable improvements in productivity.
What scientific methods were employed?
The research is based on a literature review and synthesis of architectural studies, health research, and psychological theories, such as the Psycho-evolutionary theory and Attention Restoration Theory.
What does the main body address?
The main body addresses the historical shift toward windowless structures, the subsequent recognition of their negative impacts on human performance, and the current move toward re-integrating natural ventilation and view-access in office buildings.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most relevant keywords are openable windows, human well-being, natural ventilation, workplace productivity, and indoor environmental quality.
How do openable windows impact employee productivity specifically?
Evidence presented in the text suggests that openable windows improve productivity by allowing workers to regulate their own microclimate, thereby reducing feelings of discomfort and increasing personal satisfaction.
What challenges do building experts face regarding openable windows in cold climates?
Experts face the challenge of maintaining building efficiency in cold temperatures, as openable windows can lead to tight building envelopes and moisture issues. The solution involves hybrid ventilation systems that combine mechanical and natural methods.
How does the Health and Safety Authority view the role of office windows?
The authority has established regulations, such as regulation 10, which mandate that windows, skylights, and ventilators in workplace offices must be openable, adjustable, and secure.
- Quote paper
- Sofiane Ternifi (Author), 2017, Openable Windows. Workplace Strategy and Innovation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/413327
