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.
2. Ensure a minimum of 51% of the floor area of each regularly occupied common space within the building is located within views of outdoor natural elements.
3. 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.
4. Provide educational materials specifying the health benefits of access to views of nature to all full- and part-time employees through a minimum of one of the following methods:
   
   • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
   • communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Qualifying regularly occupied common areas must include but are not limited to the following:
1. Workspaces: which include workstations, flexible workspaces, individual offices, and circulation between workstations. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
2. Common spaces: which include spaces where residential and employee occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as common rooms, dining areas, resource centers, exercise rooms, outdoor space amenities, meeting rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, and reception areas.

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 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.
2. Ensure views of indoor natural elements are uninterupted by furniture partitions or other permanent features that measure above 42 inches or 106 centimeters.
3. Ensure a minimum of 51% of the floor area of each regularly occupied space within the building is located within 20 feet or 6 meters of qualifying indoor natural elements.
4. Provide educational materials specifying the health benefits of access to views of nature to all full- and part-time employees and staff through a minimum of one of the following methods:
   • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
   • communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters.

Qualifying regularly occupied spaces must include but are not limited to the following:
1. Workspaces: which include workstations, flexible workspaces, individual offices, and circulation between workstations. Note that hallways, corridors, and elevator banks are not considered regularly occupied spaces.
2. Common spaces: which include spaces where occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks or meet, such as meeting rooms, lactation rooms, quiet rooms, and reception areas.
3. Common building amenities: which include resource centers, fitness facilities, and exercise rooms.

Compliance Documentation

Types of compliance documentation required:

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