Residential Healthcare Facilities 2014 Guidelines Revision Project: Access to Nature

Evidence based research, as well as anecdotal information has revealed that access to nature and natural light has a positive influence on the well-being of individuals. An added dimension to the focus on natural light is that of space that is either specifically adjacent to the facility or an interior space that has natural elements or designed components of nature, such as atriums, and is reminiscent of the outdoors. Since the 2010 Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities provides requirements for different types of health care facilities, this workgroup has focused on each of the residential health, care, and support facility types.