Capita Symonds Technician creates showcase 3D construction animation

Mark Cronin’s, an Architectural Technician in Capita Symonds’ Carlisle office, has impressed top international software company Autodesk with a 3D animation of an eco-friendly house so much that they are now showcasing his work to students throughout Europe and the United States.

Mark's been using Autodesk’s 3D modelling software to illustrate the construction process of an eco-friendly urban dwelling as part of his part-time BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology programme at Northumbria University.

Mark says: “Architectural animations are a fantastic way of conveying information, as the movement in animation helps put what is being seen into perspective. They transform the architectural drawing and portray the designer’s concept in a way that is much clearer and more understandable for the client. Some of the techniques used in cutting edge architectural animations are borrowed from the film industry and the same software packages are now standard in both industries which means clients are continuously expecting more exciting and realistic animations.”

Mark used Autodesk 3ds Studio Max for his animation and enjoyed working with a film industry standard tool to communicate fast track construction. His building is based on his own conceptual design of an eco friendly urban dwelling. The simple design uses fast track construction materials such as a steel frame and precast concrete floor beams, as well as secondary cold rolled steel framing with timber and render cladding systems.

He adds: “The concrete roof and floor are designed to help the building retain thermal mass, assisting in the heating and cooling of the building. Its under floor heating would ideally connect to a district heating system powered by a bio-mass boiler and it would feature the latest generation black silicon photovoltaic panels to harness renewable energy. There would also be rain water harvesting and a green roofing system – all of which can be clearly visualised and understood by a client through the 3d animation of the construction process.”

Margaret Horne is a Principal Lecturer and Director of the Built Environment Visualisation Centre at Northumbria University’s School of the Built Environment. She said: “Clients are increasingly seeking energy efficient, durable, low maintenance and cost effective buildings that incorporate new materials and innovative construction techniques. The role of the Architectural Technologist is to resolve detailed design issues within an increasingly multidisciplinary context and computer visualisation skills are essential to support this.”

“Mark has produced an outstanding animation which has captured the attention of one of the world’s leading companies in this increasingly important, and specialised, field and we are especially pleased that his exemplary piece of work is being showcased to other students in a drive to raise the understanding, knowledge and ability of a new generation of construction specialists,” she adds.

Have a look at Mark's impressive animation below:

Free Tree Seminar

The Trees and Design Action Group - of which Capita Lovejoy is a founding member - has organised a free seminar to discuss the issues surrounding trees and planning.

The event takes place at Barcham Trees near Ely in Cambridgeshire, the largest container tree nursery in Europe:

Date: 20th May 2009
Venue: Barcham Trees Plc, Eye Hill Drove, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5XF
Bookings: Jules Baird, Barcham Trees, T: 01353-720748 E: jules@barchamtrees.co.uk