Most people prefer natural to artificial light. We prefer having a window by our workspace. We prefer a view of trees over bricks. These preferences aren’t just aesthetic; they are directly linked to our mental health. One large study of European housing and health status by the World Health Organization suggested that inadequate daylight or unattractive window views increased the likelihood of depression in inhabitants by 60 percent and 40 percent, respectively. But design of the built environment rarely focuses on these design elements to improve mental health.
