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The following is an outline of the knowledge and practical skills required at each achievement level in the area of visual impact analysis.
Achieving a level requires passing the assessment for that level. Assessment can be undertaken for free on the Square One website or at one of many accredited training centres around the world. Each level must be passed consecutively - it is not possible to achieve Level 2 without having first successfully achieved Level 1.
Level 1 (Understanding) - View
At this level users should be able to access an analysis model and extract the basic information they need without having to go through another user. This typically means understanding what metrics are referenced and how to display them in a visual or tabulated form, as well as being able to extract the images and/or tables required for use in other documentation or drawings.
Knowledge
- Understand what visual impact is and how it can be calculated.
Read More... - Know what outside views refer to and how they are calculated.
Read More... - Know what each of the metrics that characterise visual impact represent.
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Practical Skills
- Able to display visual impact data if it exists in the analysis grid.
Read More... - Able to display outside views data if it exists in the analysis grid.
Read More... - Able to manipulate the analysis grid to obtain a desired visual result.
Read More... - Able to manipulate model views to obtain a desired visual result.
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Level 2 (Capability) - View & Assist
Level 2 users should be able - under supervision - to carry out most of the basic tasks such as creating and editing building models suitable for this kind of analysis, undertaking most of the simpler calculations and formatting results appropriate to the specific needs of each project.
Knowledge
- Know the definition a habitable space in relevant local building codes.
Read More... - Understand how zones are used to represent rooms and spaces.
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Practical Skills
- Able to position and size the analysis grid within or around a model.
Read More... - Able to fit the analysis grid over the floor area of a thermal zone in a model.
Read More... - Able to select/deselect specific objects in a model.
Read More... - Able to calculate external visual impact for specific objects.
Read More... - Able to calculate outside views within a habitable space.
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Level 3 (Proficiency) - View, Assist & Produce
Level 3 users should have basic proficiency, being able to independently build models suitable this type of analysis, undertake those analysis and produce the results and/or other deliverables required for any project.
Knowledge
- Know the definition a habitable space in relevant local building codes.
Read More... - Know how to set up a zone-based model suitable for the analysis of outside views.
Read More... - Know what the visual requirements for habitable spaces in LEED and BREEAM are.
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Practical Skills
- Able to calculate the percentage of a habitable space with views to outside.
Read More... - Able to determine outside view metrics for individual spaces from an analysis grid containing results over many different zones.
Read More... - Able to accurately set up a 3D analysis grid within or around a model.
Read More... - Able to calculate a full 3D visual impact volume within a model.
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Level 4 (Expertise) - View, Assist, Produce & Manage
Level 4 users require real expertise, able to determine the types of analysis required to solve specific design problems, devise the work flows and schedules required to undertake them and effectively manage and supervise the whole process to ensure the timeliness and quality of all deliverables.
Knowledge
- <<More here>>
Practical Skills
- <<More here>>
Level 5 (Innovation) - "Break New Ground"
To reach Level 5, users must demonstrate real innovation in the application of visual impact analysis within a design project. There is no direct assessment for this level, instead individuals or firms are required to submit a short article for review by the Natural Frequency editorial board that describes a specific project and details the innovative application of visual impact analysis.