The Fundamentals of Great Design: Views

A view from a window is so important to all of us, whether in an office, home, or social setting.

Views give us a sense of connection, a sense of something else beyond the room we are in, a chance to daydream and are good for our health (lower heart rate) mental health (positivity and overall happiness) and productivity (increased attentiveness and engagement).

Architects and designers seek to enhance the visual connections by choosing appropriate window sizes and locations to achieve these views and to give the feeling that the external is an extension of the internal space. For example, windows can be placed on a corner will give a wider angle of view.

Or a view can be framed with a small window to highlight a detail of the view, for instance a large mature tree in the garden, or a water feature. If you have an undesirable outlook, you could add a high-level window to frame a view of the sky or treetops.