Southampton launches City Vision model for urban planning

Southampton is the first city outside London to launch a City Vision Centre. Based at the Southampton’s City Art Gallery, the City Vision Centre was launched on May 21 by City Vision Networks. The exhibition includes the largest machined model in the UK (5.5 x 4m) and a virtual model of Southampton. Both models are easy to change and update. They will be used as a design and planning tool, allowing the public to see development proposals and help shape the future of the city.

The two models together provide:
- A new resource enabling people to view architect and developer proposals for visionary new master plans and buildings
- A tool and venue for consultation on how the city can develop

Tiles of the scaled physical city model can be continually updated to present building proposals for Southampton. City Vision Southampton is the first permanent exhibition space for architecture outside London to include a computer-generated machined model that can be continuously updated to physically present proposed new developments in the city. The large scale model of Southampton is built using a modular system that makes it relatively easy and cheap to update.

The City Vision Centre can incorporate all future large scale developments proposed for the city. The model opens debate about the Southampton’s future from day one by allowing the public to see, in context, 11 new developments proposed by some of the country’s leading architects. The stunning 5.5m x 4m model is supported by a suite of 14 exhibition panels giving details of the proposed new developments. A sophisticated 3D virtual model of Southampton has been built with the pioneering use of photogrammatical technology to give a geographically accurate, detailed interactive CAD (Computer Aided Design) model.

It can be updated with any new proposed building or development. Data from the 3D virtual model was used to produce the large physical model of Southampton. The model is built from a total of 88 large tiles each measuring 0.5msq. The tiles are machine-carved from a high-density polyurethane and resin material using a CNC flatbed milling machine. As new building proposals are put forward, developers will be able to commission a new tile to be made and inserted into the model of Southampton, to show the size and form of the proposed building in its context. The scale model provides a stunning, changing centrepiece to the new City Vision Southampton exhibition.

The virtual model is on show as an animated flythrough in the gallery and also via http://www.cityvisionsouthampton.org.uk/.