The following is an outline of the knowledge and practical skills required at each achievement level in the area of daylighting design and 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 the difference between sunlight and daylight.
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• Understand simple daylight systems and design strategies.
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• Know what a daylight factor is and how they can be calculated.
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• Understand how daylight levels are derived from daylight factors.
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Practical Skills

• Know how to display daylight calculation results within a model.
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• Able to manipulate model views to achieve a desired effect.
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• Able to manipulate the analysis grid to achieve a desired visualisation.
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• Able to transfer daylight images to other applications.
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• Able to transfer daylight results to other applications.
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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 how to create models suitable for daylight analysis.
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• Understand the relationship between surface reflectance and colour.
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• Understand transparency and the effects of solar control systems.
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• Recognise and report unrealistic daylight factor values.
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Practical Skills

• Assign materials and colours to individual model surfaces.
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• Generate POINT objects at any location within in a model.
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• Calculate daylight factors for selected POINT objects in the model.
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• Position and size the analysis grid over objects in the model.
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• Calculate daylight factors over the analysis grid in the model.
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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

• Understand how aperture size/position affects daylight values.
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• Understand shading masks and how daylight metrics are derived.
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• Understand what Sky Component, Sky Factor and the Vertical Sky Component (VSC) are, and how to calculate them.
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• Know the difference between luminance and illuminance values.
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Practical Skills

• Create new materials with accurate daylighting characteristics.
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• Calculate sky factors and VSC values for any surface.
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• Export a model to Radiance and run daylight calculations.
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• Import results from Radiance calculations into ECOTECT.
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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

• Know the most appropriate calculation options for different situations.
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• Know how to diagnose daylight calculation issues in other peoples models.
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Practical Skills

• Utilize scripts to optimize window size and positions for daylighting.
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• Create complex materials and textures for use in Radiance.
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Level 5 (Innovation) - "Break New Ground"

To reach Level 5, users must demonstrate real innovation in the application of daylight 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 daylighting analysis.