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Middlesbrough architecture goes digital

An exhibition in Middlesbrough has showcased a new digital 3D model of the town’s past and present architecture.

As part of the town’s Urban Design Week, the exhibition at mima (Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art) used technology similar to Google Earth to allow users to fly around a duplicate of Middlesbrough.

The model was created by DKS Architects, working with Middlesbrough Council. They hope that the model will allow town planners and developers to test out ideas for regeneration and will help in the assessment of new development opportunities.

Very few cities around the world have been modelled in this way and this may be the first time a digital 3D model has been developed specifically for UK town planners.

Visitors to the exhibition also viewed a virtual fly-through tour of Middlesbrough, screened on the big screen in Centre Square during the day.

Jan Lewis, Team Leader in Middlesbrough Council’s Urban Policy and Implementation Unit, said: “This project represents a celebration of the great architecture that exists in Middlesbrough and is a new way of working that should transform the way we plan and make decisions.”

Steve Hesmondhalgh, Partner at DKS said: “We’ve been working on this model for a several months now and it’s exciting to see it being used. Over the next few months the plan is that every person who uses Google Earth will be able to enjoy the architecture of Middlesbrough town centre in 3D.

“At the same time it is possible that this model will revolutionise the future of planning for towns and cities so it’s great that the public get to see how it works.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .