UK
Ireland
Scotland
London
Construction News
18/11/2010
Upgrade To Virtalis ActiveWall At Northumbria University
Northumbria University’s School of the Built and Natural Environment has upgraded its Virtalis passive stereo visualisation suite to the Virtalis ActiveWall.
Margaret Horne, director of the School’s Visualisation Centre, explained: “We installed our passive stereo system in 2004 and it has been very successful. However the technology has moved on and now enables us to have brighter images for a more affordable price. Virtalis is a supplier we know and trust, so we sought its advice on our upgrade path.”
The Northumbria students’ exposure to Virtual Reality (VR) varies depending on the degree course they are studying, but 400 students will use the ActiveWall in an average year, with around 60 having the skills to create their own VR environments and virtual building processes. Since VR first began being used at Northumbria, there has been common consensus that VR is an unparalleled technique to communicate complex concepts to a variety of stakeholders.
Graham Kimpton, senior visualiser in the School of the Built and Natural Environment, said: “Our Christie Mirage S+6K is so bright, we’ve sometimes had to turn down the brightness. It really is amazing. Our upgrade to the Virtalis ActiveWall has brought a new lease of life to the Visualisation Centre and will continue to ensure usage is heavy. Our student drop-in sessions are especially popular. Students build up their models from 2D linework using AutoCAD, 3D StudioMax and VR4Max.”
Northumbria’s postgraduate students are currently using the ActiveWall for a wide range of research projects, including the development of a more integrated approach to urban design using 3D computer modelling, the creation of a virtual model of part of Newcastle upon Tyne as it was in medieval times and the integration of a virtual model of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead with the geographic information systems held by those two local authorities. As so much about human perception is still not understood, one PhD researcher has built a 3D virtual maze to probe deeper into psychologists’ understanding of time and distance.
(GK)
Margaret Horne, director of the School’s Visualisation Centre, explained: “We installed our passive stereo system in 2004 and it has been very successful. However the technology has moved on and now enables us to have brighter images for a more affordable price. Virtalis is a supplier we know and trust, so we sought its advice on our upgrade path.”
The Northumbria students’ exposure to Virtual Reality (VR) varies depending on the degree course they are studying, but 400 students will use the ActiveWall in an average year, with around 60 having the skills to create their own VR environments and virtual building processes. Since VR first began being used at Northumbria, there has been common consensus that VR is an unparalleled technique to communicate complex concepts to a variety of stakeholders.
-- Advertisement --
Graham Kimpton, senior visualiser in the School of the Built and Natural Environment, said: “Our Christie Mirage S+6K is so bright, we’ve sometimes had to turn down the brightness. It really is amazing. Our upgrade to the Virtalis ActiveWall has brought a new lease of life to the Visualisation Centre and will continue to ensure usage is heavy. Our student drop-in sessions are especially popular. Students build up their models from 2D linework using AutoCAD, 3D StudioMax and VR4Max.”
Northumbria’s postgraduate students are currently using the ActiveWall for a wide range of research projects, including the development of a more integrated approach to urban design using 3D computer modelling, the creation of a virtual model of part of Newcastle upon Tyne as it was in medieval times and the integration of a virtual model of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead with the geographic information systems held by those two local authorities. As so much about human perception is still not understood, one PhD researcher has built a 3D virtual maze to probe deeper into psychologists’ understanding of time and distance.
(GK)
Latest Construction News
29/01/2025
Caddick Construction has been awarded a £43 million contract to deliver the first phase of Cole Waterhouse's flagship regeneration scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
The project, known as Upper Trinity Street, marks a significant step in the area’s transformation.
Spanning 182,986 square feet, the re
29/01/2025
McLaren Construction has been appointed by O&H Properties to deliver the first phase of a £60 million Foster & Partners-designed development at the corner of New Bond Street and Grafton Street in London’s West End.
The seven-storey, 5,400 square metre prime retail and office scheme will feature ret
29/01/2025
GMI Construction Group has been awarded a contract to develop three high-specification warehouse units totalling over 175,000 square feet at Precedent Drive, Milton Keynes.
The £20 million project, commissioned by DV5 Last Mile Developments (UK) Ltd, a joint venture between Coltham and Delancey Re
29/01/2025
Plans for 106 sustainable new homes in Southville, a neighbourhood in South Bristol, have been approved as the city seeks to increase housing delivery to address growing demand.
Top 10 award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group will create a £60 million development on Raleigh Road, on land that was
29/01/2025
Bouygues UK has reached a major milestone in the fourth phase of the Hallsville Quarter regeneration project in Canning Town, London.
The project, part of the £3.7 billion Canning Town and Custom House Regeneration Programme, recently held a topping out ceremony, marking the completion of the 11-s
29/01/2025
Willmott Dixon Interiors is carrying out a significant upgrade to the roof of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, one of London's most iconic cultural landmarks.
As part of the £12 million project, the company is installing over 23,000 square feet of sun-protected glazing above the museum’s
29/01/2025
Equans has been appointed by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to carry out crucial decarbonisation work across the councils' housing stock, using funding secured through the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The councils used the South East Consortium's Zero Carbon Framework to s
29/01/2025
In the world of construction, the quest for energy efficiency and sustainability is ever-evolving. Among the array of solutions available, EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) insulation stands out as a versatile and effective option for enhancing the thermal performance of buildings, particularly when used f
29/01/2025
BCP Council has completed significant coastal protection works at Hamworthy Park, ensuring its resilience against erosion for the next 20 years.
A 200-metre stretch of sea wall along the eastern promenade has been reinforced using low-carbon concrete, while new steps have been constructed to improv
29/01/2025
Geo-environmental consultancy and remediation contractor, The LK Group, has strengthened its team with a trio of recruits.
The multidisciplinary company's latest raft of hires comprises a new director, associate director and remediation manager.
The geo-environmental specialist, headquartered i
