Landscaping & Screening
As landscaping and screening design is mostly concerned with heights it is very difficult to show clearly, on a 2D plan, what effect designs have in showing how much actual screening is taking place. This is the area of ENVsupport’s 3D Modelling that, especially when used in conjunction with a Landscape Architect, is the most useful for project development.
In the early optioneering phase of the project actual detail of the development may not be known but a calculated assumption of general area and height can be used to create “block” models to represent the development in its location. Using this method, as shown below, can bring early notice of issues that can affect the selection of sites.
In the following example we have 4 platform options (A, B, C & D) complete with BLOCKS (shown in red) representing a development footprint with a height of 7 metres.
These platform options are inserted into their locations in ONE terrain model so as to allow comparison from pre-set Visual Receptor Points (VP’s) 01, 02, 03 & 04
We can then view these block models from each viewpoint and determine which areas need screening and which areas don’t. This allows effort to be focused on relevant areas of concern and will lead to a more effective and efficient design solution.
Compare design options to determine which is more effective.
By using, cost effective, generic block modelling to represent multiple site locations it is now financially feasible to model your site options and view them simultaneously from single important VP’s. This allows instant visual comparisons of each site’s pro’s and con’s generating team discussions to assess issues and contemplate viable solutions..
Top view = Site Only Middle view = Site with Bunding Bottom view = Site with Bunding AND Planting
By comparing Site Only, Site with Bunding and Site with Bunding AND Planting it is clear to see how effective the various options are screened, for instance, note how in view from VP01 you can see that there is no difference between Site Only and Site with Bunding…. therefore bunding is ineffective from this viewpoint. Planting on top of bunds can be used to further screen or break up the shape of the development when bunding itself is too costly.
Screening Bund (volumes)
When designing a screening bund that retains an aesthetic balance with the local terrain it can be possible to lose sight of the screening bund volumes and the amounts of material that are required with the resultant implications to the overall development and costs.
To minimise transportation of bunding material to site it is more efficient to generate the additional material from platform excavation but this will lower platform level as well as change overall excavation footprint (larger cut batter)
By using 3D Modelling to determine volumes of platform excavation and screening bund requirement it is easier to create more realistic, therefore practical, bunding designs. Screen grabs of successful bunding, viewed from VP’s, can clearly show how effective the finished design is in screening the development.
Equally important, this facility can also highlight and justify when a proposed design is unfeasible, minimising wasted time & effort and prompting a refocus on suitable solutions.
Additional Screening (tree planting)
If there is no material for bunding or if proposed bunds do not fully screen the development then there is an alternative method of screening which is to plant trees in strategic positions so that the development remains hidden from sensitive VP’s. One drawback with planting trees as opposed to earth bunds is that newly planted trees will take a few years to mature enough to totally provide screening. For instance ………………….
By creating multiple layers showing different stages of tree growth (e.g. 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 15 years etc.) it is possible to show the before and after effects on screening by switching layers on and off. Viewing the results from the numbered VP’s will conclusively show whether the screening is effective or not. Again, this can be viewed on a PC directly in the model or captured screengrabs for inclusion in reports.
As an interim screening measure, to compensate for slow tree growth rates, it is often possible to combine smaller earth bunds with faster growing shrubs and bushes. By planting the shrubs on top of a raised bund the overall height is increased and, if not totally screen the development, can at least break up the hard lines of the construction.
With your supplied 3D virtual model of your development, complete with switchable layers and relevant, pre-loaded visualisation points it is possible for your team to assess the various designs and options allowing documentation (screen grabs or animated flythru’s) to be presented or played at consultations and design meetings as tangible evidence of suitability of sites, backing up justifications when site selection scoring is done.