The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization
This review investigates the role of building windows in supporting occupant well-being through access to natural views and daylight. This review synthesizes recent interdisciplinary research from environmental psychology, building science, and human physiology to examine how windows impact cognitiv...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2577 |
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| author | Siqi He Wenli Zhang Yang Guan |
| author_facet | Siqi He Wenli Zhang Yang Guan |
| author_sort | Siqi He |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review investigates the role of building windows in supporting occupant well-being through access to natural views and daylight. This review synthesizes recent interdisciplinary research from environmental psychology, building science, and human physiology to examine how windows impact cognitive performance, psychological restoration, and circadian health. Drawing on 304 peer-reviewed studies from 2000 to 2024, the review identifies two core pathways: visual effects—related to daylight availability, glare control, and view quality—and non-visual effects—linked to circadian entrainment and neuroendocrine regulation via ipRGCs. These effects interact yet compete, necessitating a multi-objective optimization approach. This paper evaluates commonly used metrics for visual comfort, circadian-effective lighting, and view quality and discusses their integration in design frameworks. The review also highlights the potential of adaptive facade technologies and artificial window systems to balance human-centered lighting goals with energy efficiency. A research roadmap is proposed to support future integrative design strategies that optimize both visual and non-visual outcomes in diverse architectural contexts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c85204084406496da4450e3c9901c63d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-c85204084406496da4450e3c9901c63d2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-07-011514257710.3390/buildings15142577The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective OptimizationSiqi He0Wenli Zhang1Yang Guan2College of Landscape Architecture, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaSchool of Public Art, Sichuan Fine Arts Institute, Chongqing 400053, ChinaThis review investigates the role of building windows in supporting occupant well-being through access to natural views and daylight. This review synthesizes recent interdisciplinary research from environmental psychology, building science, and human physiology to examine how windows impact cognitive performance, psychological restoration, and circadian health. Drawing on 304 peer-reviewed studies from 2000 to 2024, the review identifies two core pathways: visual effects—related to daylight availability, glare control, and view quality—and non-visual effects—linked to circadian entrainment and neuroendocrine regulation via ipRGCs. These effects interact yet compete, necessitating a multi-objective optimization approach. This paper evaluates commonly used metrics for visual comfort, circadian-effective lighting, and view quality and discusses their integration in design frameworks. The review also highlights the potential of adaptive facade technologies and artificial window systems to balance human-centered lighting goals with energy efficiency. A research roadmap is proposed to support future integrative design strategies that optimize both visual and non-visual outcomes in diverse architectural contexts.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2577window viewdaylightingcircadian healthvisual comfortmulti-objective optimization |
| spellingShingle | Siqi He Wenli Zhang Yang Guan The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization Buildings window view daylighting circadian health visual comfort multi-objective optimization |
| title | The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization |
| title_full | The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization |
| title_short | The Impact of Building Windows on Occupant Well-Being: A Review Integrating Visual and Non-Visual Pathways with Multi-Objective Optimization |
| title_sort | impact of building windows on occupant well being a review integrating visual and non visual pathways with multi objective optimization |
| topic | window view daylighting circadian health visual comfort multi-objective optimization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/14/2577 |
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