G7 Natural Light

his 39-minute course offers a comprehensive understanding of 'G7 Natural Light (VM1) Compliance,' a specialised regulatory assessment methodology within the New Zealand Building Code framework. Through detailed technical instruction using a residential building model, participants will learn to configure, execute, and document daylight simulations that demonstrate compliance with New Zealand's natural light verification method using industry-standard radiance simulation technology.

Key Course Content

This course establishes the regulatory context of G7 Natural Light within the New Zealand Building Code, focusing on verification method VM1 for habitable spaces and helping you understand the fundamental distinction between climate-based daylight modelling and daylight factor assessments. You'll explore target illuminance values (minimum 30 lux for 75% of standard year hours versus minimum daylight factor values by region), understand the critical relationship between modelling accuracy and regulatory acceptance, and learn how G7 focuses on minimum safety requirements rather than daylight quality metrics for effective Building Code compliance.

You'll master the rigorous technical requirements mandated by Appendix C, including CIE 171 validation standards for radiance simulation engines, Perez weather sky model implementation for climate-based assessments, and simulation timestep requirements (8am-5pm on 21st of each month). The course covers comprehensive internal environment modelling including mandatory inclusion of all permanent internal partitions, fixed furniture and joinery elements like kitchen benches and built-in storage, and their impact on assessable floor area calculations. You'll learn practical techniques for modelling kitchen islands and benches with appropriate heights (920mm standard), colour coding systems for model clarity, and sophisticated grid setup methodologies including automatic grid generation with 1m boundary offsets, manual grid point placement for areas with less than 2m clearance, and 0.2m grid resolution requirements.

The course extensively covers habitable space identification using Better Building's tagging system, space type configuration specific to G7 requirements, and performance analysis across multiple compliance metrics including zone-by-zone results interpretation with minimum, average, and maximum values. You'll gain experience with comparative analysis between daylight factor and spatial daylight autonomy outcomes, critical identification of minimum compliance points within complex residential layouts, and comprehensive documentation strategies meeting G7 Appendix C requirements. Advanced topics include high-resolution result visualisation techniques for architectural drawing overlays, report generation with customised branding, and quality assurance methodologies including radiance file verification that demonstrate modeller competency and technical understanding to regulatory authorities whilst addressing variable council acceptance practices across New Zealand jurisdictions.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be thoroughly equipped to execute compliant G7 Natural Light assessments, generate professional documentation suitable for Building Consent applications, and demonstrate technical competency in regulatory daylight simulation using Better Building's radiance-based analysis platform.

Course Completion

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon achieving an 80% pass mark on the final quiz.

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