When virtual becomes vital

The impact on (and implications for) our daily lives as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic are proving to be far-reaching and, in many ways, work seems almost secondary to the wider health concerns as the virus strengthens its grip. The speed at which our lives have changed in only a few short weeks has resulted in a level of social, political and economic upheaval unseen since the Second World War.

I have seen plenty of evidence that the construction industry generally - including the planning functions within private consultancies and within the various councils across the country - is looking for ways to keep things moving forward. I was encouraged to see RIBA Chief Exec Alan Vallance's letter write to the Chancellor setting out a series of pragmatic suggestions to help support business and also to try and ensure construction continues in a safe, responsible way. The Landscape Institute is also working hard through its own channels to clarify and define how key practitioners can continue to operate in these challenging times.

Like most companies Realm (my own) is endeavouring to offer business continuity for our network and a full service to our clients. A proportion of our work focuses around the production of accurate 3D verified photomontage and CGI views for planning and our process, honed over 21 years of practice with a team of trusted associates, is probably the finest commercially available. However, a key part of the verified process involves capturing baseline photography and view specific survey data to allow accurate camera-matching and placement of the proposed built form (represented as a 3D building model) within the context of a final photomontage view. Pinpoint accuracy is the bedrock of the verified domain and our reputation has been built on unparalleled accuracy, robustly bench-tested up to and including Public Inquiry level by QCs and the partners of our largest and most experienced clients.

But what happens when we cannot physically visit a site to photograph and survey it ?

Well, as a business we live and breathe a 3D world - we produce verified and marketing CGIs, animations, VR and 360 walkthroughs and we are committed to developing virtual solutions to address problems 'in the field' (so to speak). We are a solutions business - more of that soon and how we plan to re-imagine and redefine the 3D world for our clients, and to provide them with an expansive set of tools that will really start to open out the full palette of what we, and the wider industry, can provide.

And in a 3D world, that's virtually anything.