LEED v4 Quality Views

The LEED v4 Quality Views credit is computed as part of the View Analysis workflow (see setup instructions). It is an Indoor Environmental Quality credit within the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system, maintained by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). At the top of the View result’s LEED tab is a dropdown offering two versions of the Quality Views credit (4.0 and 4.1), followed by a dashboard with up to four metrics, which correspond to four types of view:

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The value listed next to each metric is the percentage of the regularly occupied building floor area possessing a view of the given type. The types are defined as follows:

  • Quality Views: The definition of a Quality View differs between LEED versions 4.0 and 4.1. In version 4.0, a Quality View is a location possessing two of the three view types that follow (Types 1-3). In version 4.1, a Quality View is a location possessing both Type 2 and Type 3 views (Type 1 is not considered). To qualify for a credit, at least 75% of the regularly occupied building floor area must have a Quality View. For each view type, clicking on the dashboard row displays a map of qualifying view locations in the Rhino viewport:

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  • Type 1: Multiple lines of sight: A view location with multiple lines of sight to vision glazing at least 90 degrees apart. This type is considered only in LEED v4.0.

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  • Type 2: Context and sky: The definition of a Type 2 view differs between LEED versions 4.0 and 4.1. In version 4.0, a Type 2 view includes at least two of the following: (1) vegetation / sky, (2) movement, and (3) objects at least 25 feet from glazing. In version 4.1, a Type 2 view includes at least one of the following: (1) nature / art / urban landmarks, or (2) objects at least 25 feet from glazing. In order to satisfy the object-distance criterion, views must pass a median distance check, as described here.

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  • Type 3: Unobstructed: A view location with an unobstructed line of sight to vision glazing from within three times its head height. By default, the calculation disqualifies views passing through more than one interior glass partition before reaching the vision glass. Although the written standard does not provide explicit guidance on the role of interior glass partitions, reviewers may consider them when assessing the degree of obstruction. You can change this setting via the simulation settings button (7).

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In addition to the view-type assessments above, ClimateStudio requires that glazing materials have a normal-specular visual light transmittance (VLT) of at least 40% to qualify as VisionGlass, as specified in the LEED Building Design and Construction manual.

The LEED v4.0 pathway also specifies a fourth type of view that is not assessed by ClimateStudio, involving angular factors defined in Windows and Offices: A Study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor Environment.

Below the dashboard is the Room Table, which lists view type percentages for each regularly occupied floor area, and a Viewport Settings bar, which contains a legend and settings button (5) for adjusting the display:

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Reporting

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Once a view calculation is complete, you can generate an automated PDF report by clicking the PDF Export button (3) in the result header.

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The generator allows you to customize your report by adding a company logo. The (optional) create-floor-by-floor summaries feature will print a separate plan and statistical summary for each level in the building (in addition to room-by-room results, which are printed by default).

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An example report can be downloaded here.