This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

Right to light

Exposure to adequate levels of sunlight is critical for health and well-being, for effects ranging from visual comfort to potential psychological and neurological gains: there are measurable physiological benefits to receiving the quality of light provided by the sun, as well as positive subjective reports from occupants able to enjoy access to sunlight. Proximity to windows, outdoor views and daylight in indoor spaces are some of the most sought-after elements of design. As such, buildings should utilize daylight as a primary source of lighting to the greatest extent possible.

To ensure that daylight is maximized within buildings, this feature sets minimum distances from windows to regularly occupied spaces.

Part 1: Lease Depth

The following requirement is met:

a. 75% of the area of all regularly occupied spaces is within 7.5 m [25 ft] of view windows.
Part 2: Window Access

The following conditions are met:

a. 75% of all desks or regularly occupied seats are within 7.5 m [25 ft] of an atrium or a window with views to the exterior.
b. 95% of all desks or reguarly occupied seats are within 12.5 m [41 ft] of an atrium or a window with views to the exterior.
Reproductive
Immune
Endocrine
Cardiovascular
Muscular
Nervous
Digestive

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Lease Depth O O O
Part 2: Window Access - O O
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Lease Depth O O P O O
Part 2: Window Access - O - - O

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Lease Depth Architectural Drawing Spot Check
Part 2: Window Access Architectural Drawing Spot Check