IUX Design Lab · Architect Preparation Guide
Preparing Your Project
for IUX Evaluation
Everything your Revit or Vectorworks modeller needs before uploading to the IUX Evaluator — IFC element types, property names, exact keywords, dimensions, and supporting documents.
1 — Accepted File Formats
| Format | Notes |
|---|---|
| .ifc | IFC 2x3 or IFC 4 — primary format. Both versions fully supported. |
| .rvt | Revit native file — automatically converted to IFC on upload. |
| Max size | 200 MB. Export geometry only. Disable embedded textures in Revit IFC export settings to stay under the limit. |
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2 — Five Core Prerequisites (Pass / Fail Gate)
All five must pass before any credit scoring begins. Fail any one and the project is disqualified from the credit evaluation entirely.
| ID | Prerequisite | IFC Element | Property | Required Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PQ01 | Accessibility | IfcSpace / IfcSlab | Width | ≥ 1.5 m Also set TurningCircle ≥ 1.5 m on IfcSpace. Accepted variants: PathWidth, ClearWidth, NetWidth, EffectiveWidth. |
| PQ02 | Safety | IfcCovering | Description | "non-slip" on all surfaces; "tactile-warning" on any covering within 2 m of water Any IfcDistributionElement with ObjectType='WaterFeature' automatically triggers the tactile-warning check on nearby coverings. |
| PQ03 | Barrier-Free Design | IfcCovering | JointWidth | ≤ 1 cm If no cobblestone/block paving is used, this prerequisite passes automatically. Variants: MortarJointWidth, JointSize, PavingJoint. |
| PQ04 | Stamina Baseline | IfcFurnishingElement | ObjectType | "Seating" or "Bench" — spaced ≤ 50 m apart along all primary routes ObjectPlacement (XYZ coordinates) must be set on each seating element so the evaluator can calculate inter-seat distances. |
| PQ05 | Site Readability | IfcLightFixture | (presence) | ≥ 1 light fixture modelled anywhere on site Zero lighting fixtures = automatic disqualification. |
3 — 30 Credits (45 Points Total)
Credits are grouped into 5 categories. Each credit shows the exact IFC element, property name, and value the evaluator looks for. Document-only credits (DOC) require a file upload — they cannot be detected from IFC data alone.
Sensory Integration
— 14 points max| Credit | Name | Pts | IFC Element | Property | Required Value / Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C1.1 | High-Contrast Visual Legibility (LRV) | 1 | IfcCovering | LRV_Contrast | ≥ 30 (contrast points between adjacent critical surfaces) Variants: LRVContrast, LightReflectanceValue, VisualContrast, SurfaceLRV. Use manufacturer LRV data sheets. |
| C1.2 | Continuous Tactile Ground Surface Indicators (TGSI) | 3 | IfcCovering × 2 | Description | "TGSI-blister" (hazard) + "TGSI-ribbed" (directional) — both required, continuous through all open plazas Partial credit (1.5 pts) if only one type present. Both must run uninterrupted — no gaps across plaza areas. |
| C1.3 | Acoustic Navigational Beacons | 2 | IfcDistributionElement | ObjectType | "WaterFeature" — placed at major intersections as auditory landmarks Continuous water features (fountains, rills) at intersections. Name can contain 'Water' or 'Fountain' as fallback. |
| C1.4 | Multi-Sensory Transition Warnings | 2 | IfcCovering | Description | "transition-warning" — positioned exactly 2 m ± 20 cm before each street crossing / plaza entrance A distinct texture strip (e.g., brushed concrete) placed 2 m before each crossing. ObjectPlacement must be set for distance check. |
| C1.5 | 3D Tactile Site Mapping | 2 | IfcFurnishingElement | Name | "TactileSiteMap" — one at each major entrance Cast bronze or relief tactile map with braille. ObjectPlacement required so the evaluator can verify entrance locations. |
| C1.6 | Functional Texture Zoning | 2 | IfcCovering (multiple) | Material | ≥ 3 distinct material names — one unique material per functional zone (seating, circulation, planting…) Materials extracted from IfcRelAssociatesMaterial or from the Material property. Assign each zone type a different paving. |
| C1.7 | Olfactory Wayfinding (Botanical Zoning) | 1 | IfcPlant / IfcGeographicElement | Species (or BotanicalName) | Fragrant species at each entrance: lavender, lavandula, rosa, jasmine, jasminum, syringa, lilac, viburnum, wisteria, magnolia, daphne, osmanthus, lonicera, pittosporum Plant Schedule upload (XLSX/CSV) recommended. Species name matching is case-insensitive substring check. |
| C1.8 | Adaptive Day-to-Night Illumination | 1 | IfcLightFixture | LightDistribution + Uniformity | "downward" (or CutOffAngle < 90°) AND Uo ≥ 0.4 Uniformity variants: LightingUniformity, UniformityRatio, Uo, MinMaxRatio. Lighting Schedule upload (XLSX/CSV) recommended. |
Cognitive Usability
— 11 points max| Credit | Name | Pts | IFC Element | Property | Required Value / Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2.1 | Rigorous Furnishing Zones (Spatial Rhythm) | 2 | IfcFurnishingElement | ObjectPlacement | All furniture positioned outside primary path clearance zone (≥ 1.8 m clear) ObjectPlacement coordinates must be set on all furniture. The evaluator calculates proximity to path centre line. |
| C2.2 | Continuous Tactile Shorelining | 2 | IfcCovering (edge element) | Description + Height | "edge" or "shorelining" in Description; Height property ≥ 3 cm An uninterrupted raised edge (kerb, guide rail, planted strip) along all primary routes for cane detection. |
| C2.3 | Co-location of Ramps and Stairs | 1 | IfcRamp + IfcStair | ObjectPlacement | Every IfcStair within 3 m of nearest IfcRamp at each level change If no stairs present, credit passes as N/A. ObjectPlacement must be set on both elements for the spatial check. |
| C2.4 | Vestibular Trajectory Stabilization | 2 | IfcSlab / IfcSpace | CrossFallGradient | 0.01 to 0.02 (exactly 1–2%) on all primary paths Variants: CrossFall, TransverseSlope, CrossSlope, DrainageSlope. Below 1% = drainage failure; above 2% = wheelchair instability. |
| C2.5 | Information Placement Consistency | 1 | IfcSign | MountingHeight | All signs 90–120 cm, consistent within ±2 cm across all intersections IfcAnnotation accepted as fallback for older IFC versions. Height and InstallationHeight also tried. |
| C2.6 | Tactile Landmarks and 3D Public Art | 3 | IfcFurnishingElement | Name + Height | "TactileSculpture" in Name; Height ≤ 1.2 m; placed at all major path decision nodes Partial credit (1.5 pts) if sculptures exist but height > 1.2 m. ObjectPlacement required to verify decision-node placement. |
Affective Comfort
— 7 points max| Credit | Name | Pts | IFC Element | Property | Required Value / Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C3.1 | Ergonomic Restorative Refuges | 1 | IfcFurnishingElement | HasArmrests + HasBackrest | Both = true (or ArmrestCount > 0 / BackrestHeight > 0) Variants: Armrests, ArmrestCount, SideArmrests; Backrest, BackrestHeight, BackHeight, BackSupport. Numeric values > 0 accepted. |
| C3.2 | Generous Pass-By Geometry | 1 | IfcSpace / IfcSlab | Width | ≥ 2.5 m on all primary pass-by paths (allows two wheelchairs side-by-side) Different threshold from PQ01 (comfort vs. minimum access). Same Width property variants apply. |
| C3.3 | Gradient Rest Nodes (Stamina Preservation) | 1 | IfcSlab | ObjectType | "RampLanding" — level slab ≥ 1.5 m deep every ≤ 6 m along all ramps Model each landing as a separate IfcSlab element with ObjectType='RampLanding'. Ramp geometry also checked for slope. |
| C3.4 | Solid Prospect and Refuge | 1 | IfcFurnishingElement | Description + proximity | "backed" or "wall" in Description; seating within 50 cm of solid backing element (IfcWall / hedge / structure) ObjectPlacement required on seating. The evaluator checks for an IfcWall or structural element within 50 cm. |
| C3.5 | Perimeter Acoustic Masking | 2 | IfcWall / IfcPlate / IfcBeam | Description | "acoustic-buffer", "acoustic", "sound", or "noise" — elements at site perimeter; minimum height 1.2 m Earth berms, dense hedges, acoustic glass, or sound walls. Also: Name containing 'berm' or 'earthwork' accepted. |
| C3.6 | Biophilic Acoustic Restoration | 1 | IfcDistributionElement + IfcPlant | ObjectType + Species | WaterStream (ObjectType) or 'stream' (Name) AND bird-attracting species: cotoneaster, pyracantha, sorbus, malus, prunus, ilex, holly, sambucus, crataegus, hawthorn, berberis, lonicera Partial credit (0.5 pts) if only one of the two conditions met. Plant Schedule upload recommended. |
Social Adaptation
— 7 points max| Credit | Name | Pts | IFC Element | Property | Required Value / Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C4.1 | DOCParticipatory Co-Design | 1 | — (document upload) | — | Upload: Co-Design Documentation PDF proving disability advocacy group involvement Cannot be detected from IFC geometry. Upload via Supporting Documents. Accepted filename keywords: co-design, codesign, participation. |
| C4.2 | Integrated Companion and Mobility Seating | 2 | IfcFurnishingElement | Description | "wheelchair-space" — indicates integrated empty space for wheelchair or guide dog beside each bench Each bench that includes a wheelchair bay must have this Description keyword. ObjectType must be Seating or Bench. |
| C4.3 | Sociopetal Arrangement | 1 | IfcFurnishingElement × ≥2 | ObjectPlacement | Seating clusters in L-shape or U-shape (facing inward) — detected via coordinate geometry or questionnaire If geometry check is inconclusive, the evaluator questionnaire field 'seating_sociopetal' (yes/no) overrides. |
| C4.4 | Tactile Cultural Integration | 1 | IfcFurnishingElement | Description | "tactile-cultural" — haptically and acoustically explorable cultural / historical element Relief maps, textured panels, resonant structures. Mounted at reachable height. ObjectPlacement recommended. |
| C4.5 | The Welcoming Micro-Climate | 2 | IfcRoof / IfcSlab + IfcWall / IfcPlate | ObjectType + Description | "ShadeStructure" (ObjectType) near seating AND "windbreak" or "wind" (Description) near seating Partial credit (1 pt) if only shade or only windbreak. ObjectPlacement required — both must be within proximity of seating. |
Time Adaptation
— 6 points max| Credit | Name | Pts | IFC Element | Property | Required Value / Keyword |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C5.1 | DOCAdaptive Winter / Debris Maintenance Protocol | 1 | — (document upload) | — | Upload: Maintenance Protocol PDF — legally binding, funded, covering tactile paving + ramp gritting Cannot be detected from IFC. Accepted filename keywords: maintenance, protocol. Must name responsible party. |
| C5.2 | Smart City Navigational Integration | 2 | IfcSensor | ObjectType | "BLEBeacon", "Beacon", or "RFID" — placed at all major intersections Bluetooth LE beacons or RFID tags syncing with audio navigation apps (BlindSquare, Microsoft Soundscape). Model as IfcSensor. |
| C5.3 | DOCVegetation Encroachment Management | 1 | — (document upload) | — | Upload: Vegetation Management Schedule PDF / XLSX — funded pruning schedule, frequency, responsible party Also: no IfcPlant elements modelled within 2.2 m height in path clearance zone. Accepted filename keywords: vegetation, pruning. |
| C5.4 | Modular Hazard Replacement | 1 | IfcCovering | Description | "modular" on all primary path surfaces — interlocking or replaceable-slab paving system Allows isolated section replacement without full repaving. Apply this Description to all primary path IfcCovering elements. |
| C5.5 | Four-Season Sensory Planting | 1 | IfcPlant × ≥4 | Species (or BotanicalName) | ≥ 4 distinct plant species providing multi-sensory interest across spring, summer, autumn, winter Include winter-blooming species (witch hazel / Hamamelis, snowdrops / Galanthus). Plant Schedule upload recommended. |
4 — Property Name Variants (Revit Pset Mapping)
The evaluator tries multiple property name variants automatically. Use any one name consistently across all elements of the same type — do not mix variants within the same model.
Width (path / space)
WidthPathWidthClearWidthNetWidthGrossWidthEffectiveWidthMinimumWidthCross-fall gradient
CrossFallGradientCrossFallTransverseSlopeCrossSlopeDrainageSlopeLateralSlopeRamp slope
SlopeGradientRampSlopeRampAngleFlightSlopeInclinationRampGradientJoint width
JointWidthMortarJointWidthJointSizeGapWidthPavingJointJointThicknessLRV contrast
LRV_ContrastLRVContrastLightReflectanceValueLRVVisualContrastSurfaceLRVLighting uniformity
UniformityLightingUniformityUniformityRatioUoMinMaxRatioIlluminanceUniformitySeating armrests
HasArmrestsArmrestsArmrestCountNumberOfArmrestsSideArmrestsSeating backrest
HasBackrestBackrestBackrestHeightBackHeightBackSupport5 — Supporting Documents Checklist
These files are uploaded alongside the IFC model. Required documents unlock specific credits that cannot be detected from geometry alone.
| Document | Credit | Status | Formats | Must Contain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Co-Design Documentation | C4.1 | Required | PDF / JPG / PNG | Meeting minutes or reports proving disability advocacy group involvement in the design phase |
| Maintenance Protocol | C5.1 | Required | PDF / XLSX / CSV | Legally binding, funded winter/debris maintenance for tactile paving and ramps — must name responsible party |
| Vegetation Management Schedule | C5.3 | Required | PDF / XLSX / CSV | Funded pruning schedule; frequency; responsible party; prevents branch encroachment into 2.2 m cane-free zone |
| Plant Schedule | C1.7, C5.5 | Recommended | XLSX / CSV / PDF | Species list, fragrance flag, seasonal bloom period, location — improves scoring accuracy for botanical credits |
| Lighting Schedule | C1.8, PQ05 | Recommended | XLSX / CSV / PDF | Fixture list, uniformity ratio (Uo), downward-direction flag, intersection coverage map |
| Site Photographs | All | Recommended | JPG / PNG | Existing conditions, surfaces, tactile features, seating, lighting — used as vision-analysis fallback |
6 — Key Dimensions at a Glance
| Measurement | Threshold | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Primary path width (PQ01) | ≥ 1.5 m | DIN 18040-3 §4.3 |
| Pass-by pathway width (C3.2) | ≥ 2.5 m | Two-wheelchair clearance |
| Turning circle (PQ01) | ≥ 1.5 m dia. | DIN 18040-3 §4.4 |
| Cobblestone joint width (PQ03) | ≤ 1 cm | Barrier-free rolling surface |
| Seating interval (PQ04) | ≤ 50 m | Stamina baseline |
| Shorelining edge height (C2.2) | ≥ 3 cm | Cane-detectable guide edge |
| Transition warning offset (C1.4) | 2 m ± 20 cm | Before each crossing |
| Sign mounting height (C2.5) | 90–120 cm | ±2 cm consistency |
| Ramp landing depth (C3.3) | ≥ 1.5 m | Every ≤ 6 m along ramp |
| Ramp/stair proximity (C2.3) | ≤ 3 m apart | At every level change |
| Seating backing distance (C3.4) | ≤ 50 cm | To solid wall or hedge |
| Tactile sculpture height (C2.6) | ≤ 1.2 m | Reachable for haptic exploration |
| Vegetation clearance (C5.3) | ≥ 2.2 m | Cane-free zone above path |
| Acoustic barrier height (C3.5) | ≥ 1.2 m | Perimeter noise attenuation |
| Cross-fall gradient (C2.4) | 1–2% | Below 1% = drainage failure |
| Lighting uniformity Uo (C1.8) | ≥ 0.4 | Min/average illuminance ratio |
| LRV contrast (C1.1) | ≥ 30 points | Between adjacent critical surfaces |
7 — Certification Tiers
Not certified
< 18 pts
< 40% of 45 pts
Bronze
18–26 pts
40%+ of 45 pts
Silver
27–33 pts
60%+ of 45 pts
Gold
34–40 pts
75%+ of 45 pts
Platinum
41–45 pts
90%+ of 45 pts
8 — Revit Export Settings
- Export format: IFC 2x3 or IFC 4 — both fully supported.
- In the Revit IFC export dialog: enable "Export property sets" to include all Pset data.
- Disable embedded textures to keep the file under 200 MB. Use "Geometry only" if available.
- Ensure ObjectPlacement (XYZ coordinates) is set on all furniture, ramps, stairs, signs, and sensors — required for spatial distance checks (seating interval, ramp-stair co-location, transition warning distance).
- Use consistent property names across all elements of the same type (e.g., always use "Width" not sometimes "PathWidth").
- Include IfcSite and IfcSpace elements to provide spatial context for path and zone detection.
- In Revit's IFC export options, set Level of Detail to Medium — High detail adds unnecessary geometry that inflates file size without adding scoring-relevant data.
9 — Vectorworks Export Settings
- Go to File → Export → Export IFC Project to open the IFC Export dialog.
- Set the export profile to IFC4 Reference View — this is the profile most compatible with the IUX evaluator.
- In the IFC Mapping tab, manually map each Vectorworks object class to the correct IFC entity type: landscape elements →
IfcPlant, paving →IfcCovering, site furniture →IfcFurnishingElement, lighting →IfcLightFixture. - Enable "Export object properties as IFC property sets" in the Export Options panel — this ensures all record fields are included as Pset data the evaluator can read.
- Add IUX-required properties directly as Record Formats in Vectorworks (e.g., a record named "IUX_Pset" with fields: Description, ObjectType, Width, JointWidth, Species). Map these records to IFC property sets in the IFC Mapping dialog.
- Set 3D conversion resolution to Low or Medium before export — high-resolution meshes inflate the file without adding property data relevant to the IUX evaluation.
- Disable "Export textures" and uncheck "Include renderworks textures" to keep the file under 200 MB.
- Ensure every object has 3D placement (not 2D-only symbols) so ObjectPlacement coordinates export correctly — required for seating interval, ramp-stair proximity, and transition warning distance checks.
- After export, open the IFC file in a free viewer such as BIMvision or Solibri Anywhere to verify that property sets and element types are correct before uploading to IUX Evaluator.
IUX Design Lab · Inclusive Urban Experience Design Framework · Ahmed Mahmoud