08. Shared Spaces - Views of Nature

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.

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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. Provide views of nature to all building(s) occupants that include one of the following qualifying outdoor natural elements:
   • 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 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.
3. Ensure a minimum of 60% of the floor area across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s) is located within views of outdoor natural elements.
   • Qualifying regularly occupied spaces must include but are not limited to the following:
     • 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.
     • Common spaces and amenities: which include spaces where occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as meeting rooms, lounge or break areas, multipurpose rooms, resource centers, fitness facilities, exercise rooms and reception areas. Note that lactation rooms and quiet rooms may be excluded from this calculation.

4. Provide educational materials, upon request, to all full- and part-time employees and staff within the building(s) that specify the health benefits of views of nature 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.

   Educational materials should explain the health benefits of access to views of nature and the strategies used to increase such access, including:
   - strategies designed to maximize access to views of nature implemented within the building(s)
   - the importance of positioning workspaces and common spaces close to windows to maximize access to views
   - innovative biophilic design elements to increase exposure to natural elements
   - the health benefits of exposure to views of nature.

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. Provide unobstructed views of nature to all occupants within the building(s) that include one of the following qualifying indoor natural elements:
   • 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 uninterrupted by furniture partitions or other permanent features that measure above 42 inches or 106 centimeters.
3. Ensure a minimum of 60% of the floor area across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s) is located within 20 feet or 6 meters of qualifying indoor natural elements.
   • Qualifying regularly occupied spaces must include but are not limited to the following:
     • 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.
     • Common spaces and amenities: which include spaces where occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as meeting rooms, lounge or break areas, multipurpose rooms, resource centers, fitness facilities, exercise rooms and reception areas. Note that lactation rooms and quiet rooms may be excluded from this calculation.

4. Provide educational materials, upon request, to all full- and part-time employees and staff within the building(s) specifying the health benefits of access to views of nature to all full- and part-time employees and staff within the building(s) 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.

   Educational materials should explain the health benefits of access to views of nature and the strategies used to increase access, including:
   - strategies designed to maximize access to views of nature implemented within the building(s)
   - the importance of positioning workspaces and common spaces close to windows to maximize access to views
   - innovative biophilic design elements to increase exposure to natural elements
   - the health benefits of exposure to views of nature.

Option 3 - Outdoor Natural Elements 51% - (Partial Credit):

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

1. Provide views of nature to all occupants within the building(s) that include one of the following qualifying outdoor natural elements:
   • 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 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(s) window
   • for distant views beyond 300 feet or 92 meters, be uninterrupted by buildings or other architectural elements.
3. Ensure a minimum of 51% of the floor area across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s) is located within views of outdoor natural elements.
   • Qualifying regularly occupied spaces must include but are not limited to the following:
     • 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.
     • Common spaces and amenities: which include spaces where occupants can gather to work, eat, take breaks, or meet — such as meeting rooms, lounge or break areas, multipurpose rooms, resource centers, fitness facilities, exercise rooms and reception areas. Note that lactation rooms and quiet rooms may be excluded from this calculation.

4. Provide educational materials, upon request, with all full- and part-time employees and staff within the building(s) specifying the health benefits of access to views of nature to all full- and part-time employees and staff within the building(s) 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.

   Educational materials should explain the health benefits of access to views of nature and the strategies used to increase such access, including:
   - strategies designed to maximize access to views of nature implemented within the building(s)
   - the importance of positioning workspaces and common spaces close to windows to maximize access to views
   - innovative biophilic design elements to increase exposure to natural elements
   - the health benefits of exposure to views of nature.

Compliance Documentation

Design

Option 1

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all building occupants will have access to views of nature that include a qualifying outdoor natural element.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing detailing:
  • the distance between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view
  • all building(s)s or structures between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan showing all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply): 
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters
• Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature that will be included.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature will be made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.

Option 2

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all occupants within the building(s) will have access to views of nature that include a qualifying indoor natural element.

Requirement 2

• Upload annotated plan(s) or design drawings identifying all furniture partitions, or other permanent features above 42 inches or 106 centimeters, and indoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan(s) or design drawings identifying identifying the percentage of views of nature across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply): 
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters
• Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature that will be included.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature will be made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.

Option 3

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all occupants within the building(s) will have access to views of nature that include a qualifying outdoor natural element.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated plan or design drawing detailing:
  • the distance between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view
  • all building(s) or structures between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan(s) or design drawings identifying the percentage of views of nature across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply): 
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters
• Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that will be shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature that will be included.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature will be made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.

Built

Option 1

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all building occupants have access to views of nature that include a qualifying outdoor natural element.
• Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the outdoor natural elements in view for each side of the building.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated site plan(s) detailing:
  • the distance between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view
  • all building(s)s or structures between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan showing all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply):
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newslettersUpload one of the following:
    • a copy of the educational materials that are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature.
    • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature are made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.

Option 2

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all occupants within the building(s) have access to views of nature that include a qualifying indoor natural element.
• Upload an annotated photograph(s) of each of the qualifying indoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 2

• Upload annotated plan(s), photograph(s) or design drawings identifying all furniture partitions or other permanent features above 42 inches or 106 centimeters and indoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan(s), photograph(s), or design drawings identifying the percentage of views of nature across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply):
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters
• Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature are made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.

Option 3

Requirement 1

• Checkbox to certify that all occupants within the building(s) have access to views of nature that include a qualifying outdoor natural element.
• Upload an annotated photograph(s) of the qualifying outdoor natural elements in view.

Requirement 2

• Upload an annotated site plan(s) detailing:
  • the distance between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view
  • all building(s) or structures between the building(s) facades and the outdoor natural elements in view

Requirement 3

• Upload an annotated plan(s), photograph(s), or design drawings identifying the percentage of views of nature across all regularly occupied spaces within the building(s).

Requirement 4

• Checkbox to certify that the educational materials are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff through the following methods (select all that apply):
  • a digital platform, such as a website, digital application, or display screen in common areas
  • annual communication material, such as notification emails or newsletters
•  Upload one of the following:
  • a copy of the educational materials that are shared upon request with all full- and part-time employees and staff identifying the required information outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature.
  • an official statement confirming that educational materials outlining the health benefits of access to views of nature are made available to and shared with all full- and part-time employees and staff upon request.