Provide access to views of nature

Rationale: Views of greenery, trees, water, and other natural elements throughout the day can increase occupants’ perceived connection with nature, contributing to a decreased risk of chronic inflammation and a diminished risk of mental health conditions including distress, depression, and anxiety.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Outdoor Natural Elements (Full Credit):

Provide access to views of nature by meeting all of the following requirements:

1. Ensure access to views of one of the following qualifying outdoor natural elements in all regularly occupied common areas within the building:

• vegetation or greenery, such as plants, trees, lawns, or parks
• water bodies, including ponds, lakes, rivers, or other natural water bodies
• landscape, such as mountains, forests, hills, or other natural landscapes.

Qualifying regularly occupied common areas must include but are not limited to the following:

• Common spaces: which include spaces where building occupants gather for social events, such as resident lounges, common kitchen facilities, multipurpose rooms, and game rooms. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
• Common building amenities: which include resource centers, fitness facilities, and exercise rooms.

2. Ensure the view of outdoor natural elements meets one of the following:

• for nearby views, be visible within 300 feet or 92 meters of the building window
• for distant views beyond 300 feet or 92 meters, be uninterrupted by buildings or other architectural elements.

Option 2 - Indoor Natural Elements (Partial Credit):

Provide qualifying indoor natural elements in all regularly occupied spaces that demonstrate compliance with the following requirements:

1. Ensure access to unobstructed views of one of the following qualifying indoor natural elements in all regularly occupied common spaces in the building:

• an indoor plant with a minimum height of 12 inches (including pot), visible at a minimum height of 42 inches or 106 centimeters
• a green wall visible at a minimum height of 42 inches or 106 centimeters
• a water feature visible at a minimum height of 42 inches or 106 centimeters.

Qualifying regularly occupied common spaces must include but are not limited to the following:

• Common spaces: which include spaces where building occupants gather for social events, such as resident lounges, common kitchen facilities, multipurpose rooms, and game rooms. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
• Common building amenities: which include resource centers, fitness facilities, and exercise rooms.

2. Ensure views of indoor natural elements are interrupted by furniture partitions or other permanent features that measure above 42 inches or 106 centimeters.

Compliance Documentation

Types of compliance documentation required:

• Annotated design drawings
• Annotated photographs
• Annotated plans
• Educational materials
• Calculations