| An empirical investigation focused on person-window
transactions in the physical medicine and rehabilitation environment.
Attributes of windows view, daylight, and spaces perceived as insufficient
in these respects were studied in six hospitals. Preference, environmental
documentation, and behaviors associated with windows and windowless rooms
were the subject of a two-part interview and questionnaire. The respondent
group numbered 250 persons. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS) was
utilized, yielding an array of 21 cognitive dimensions. From evaluations
of 56 photographs that sampled a broad spectrum of spaces ranging from
highly windowed to windowless, 8 visual dimensions were identified; and 13
nonvisual dimensions distilled from 89 written response items were
identified that addressed degree of satisfaction and associated behaviors.
Among the findings, ideal window and view conditions frequently contrasted
the actual conditions in one's hospital setting; informative views of
urban life and nature beyond the hospital, accessible from one's typical
viewing angle and position within the room, were desired; minimally
windowed rooms were equated with architecturally windowless spaces, and
window-views substitutes in windowless rooms were distinguished from
similar rooms without such compensatory measures. Implications for
hospital planning and design are discussed. |