M02: Access to Nature – Above Green

(Required)

INTENT

Support occupant well-being by incorporating the natural environment through interior and exterior design.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires the integration of nature into the project's interior and exterior through design elements that support direct access with nature using plants, water, light and views, and indirect access to nature using natural materials, patterns, colors or images.

ISSUE

Through incorporation of nature, the built environment serves as a powerful tool to help relieve stress and mental fatigue, support focus and encourage overall mental well-being. Increasing nature contact at work may offer a simple, population-based approach to enhance workplace health promotion efforts. Exposure to plants and other natural elements has been linked with decreased levels of diastolic blood pressure, depression and anxiety; increased attentional capacity; better recovery from job stress and illness; increased psychological well-being; and increased pain tolerance. Additionally, the incorporation of plants in the work environment is linked with improved employee morale, decreased absenteeism and increased worker efficiency and job satisfaction. The presence of water, natural light and nature views can also impact health and well-being. The incorporation of water into built spaces can relieve stress, promote satisfaction and enhance performance. Exposure to natural light has a substantial impact on mood, circadian health and productivity. Finally, research links exposure to green or natural views with various positive emotional and cognitive health outcomes, including stress reduction, memory recall and other aspects of cognitive performance.

SOLUTIONS

The benefits of nature access can be achieved through numerous pathways, including direct (e.g., plants in the office), indirect (e.g., window views) or representational (e.g., photographs) exposure to natural elements. While all are effective at enhancing mood, research suggests that contact with actual, living nature has a stronger effect than representational or pictorial methods. The quantity of exposure to nature also matters. A dose-response relationship has been found with exposure to indoor nature, with research finding that as workday nature contact increased, perceived job stress, subjective health complaints and sickness absence decreased. Other research has found that both perceived and actual productivity increased for occupants in an office space with nature incorporated as compared to those in a more minimalist office space, further highlighting nature's role in benefiting the needs of both employee and employer.

IMPACT

Providing access to nature in built spaces can play a key role in supporting healthy environments by mitigating stressors and positively impacting cognitive and emotional health, focus, productivity and overall well-being.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Provide Access to Nature

Verified by Professional Narrative

For All Spaces

Projects integrate and encourage occupant access to nature within the building and project site (external to the building) through the following:

Direct connection to nature through at least two of the below:
1. Plants.
2. Water.
3. Light.
4. Nature views.
Indirect connection to nature through use of natural materials, patterns, colors or images.
Space layout, addressing placement of natural elements along common circulation routes, shared seating areas and rooms (e.g., conference rooms, common spaces) and workstations (as applicable) to enhance occupant exposure.