Let in the light. . .

It's Easy Being Green

The California Energy Commission found that call-center workers processed calls 6% to 12% faster when they had views to the outside, compared with workers without a view. They also performed 10% to 25% better on tests of mental function and memory recall compared with their 'shut-in' co-workers.

The Herschong Mahone Group consultancy found that retail locations with skylights reaped 40% higher sales than stores without skylights.

It also studied elementary-school students, finding that "Students who had the most daylight in their classrooms progressed 20% faster on math tests and 26% faster on reading tests compared with students who had the least daylight.