Overview

The project includes provision of visualization, computer graphic, and programming services for 35/45 Investors, L.P., to create a multimedia marketing CD-ROM for the La Frontera development.

The program presents a variety of information about La Frontera, including maps, aerial views, site boundaries, parcel data, and key facts. A multimedia interface with buttons and other controls permits the user to select and view particular information as desired. The program is primarily used as a stand-alone tool to inform prospective investors about the development.

 

1. a. Landscape Archietect's Role In Developing The Project

From conceptual planning of the project to the CD jacket cover design, the Landscape Architect was involved in every aspect of data/image assembly. The Landscape Architect started with the general master plan provided by the client, then developed detailed landscape architectural components in order to accurately create the appropriate scenes in the program. Extensive experience in master-planning similar communities enabled the Landscape Architect to envision and craft the graphics, plans and perspectives for La Frontera's highly-effective multimedia CD.

QuickTime Virtual Reality, three-dimensional modeling, text and computer graphics were combined to produce a user-friendly product that guides the audience through a virtual tour of the proposed development. This project proves that today's Landscape Architect knows the marketing needs of its clients and is able to take a step further into technology and actualize a complex multimedia tool.

 

1. b. Successful Resolution Of The Project's Program

By including the following elements, the La Frontera multimedia CD-ROM dynamically captures the essence of the proposed development.

Program Elements

1. Interactive multimedia interface: graphic background and interface for the program, including La Frontera logo, navigational buttons, and text; programming to provide navigation, display maps and other visuals, and connect all elements.

 

2. Key Facts: development information

 

3. Maps:

A. Metropolitan area map -this graphic is a map of the greater Austin area, showing

project location relative to main roadways or other important features.

B. Vicinity map -a map of the northern Austin and Round Rock area, showing site location as well as key employers in the area; employers (such as IBM, Dell, etc.) are identified with an icon; mousing over the icon displays a photo.

C. Site map -an aerial photo of the site combined with the conceptual plan rendering to show the site's relationship to nearby roads and other features.

D. Existing and proposed roads and highways -using the aerial photo as a background, this graphic shows site boundaries and existing roadways clearly visible and identified; the user can then switch to another map showing a schematic of future roadways, with segments identified.

 

4. Conceptual plan -graphic of the conceptual plan rendering; parcel boundaries appear when the user places the mouse cursor on different areas; clicking on the parcel displays a zoomed-in view of that parcel, lot numbers, acreages, F.A. R. ratios and proposed building square-footages.

 

5. QuickTime VR (360 degree images): Aerial photographs of the site were used to create a QTVR (QuickTime Virtual Reality) object movie. This consists of 36 views of the site taken along a circular path surrounding the site, with the camera oriented to one fixed central point. The views were combined and displayed on the computer so that the user can change the point-of-view by dragging the image with the mouse, producing the visual effect of flying around the site. Site boundaries were added to the images, so that the configuration and location of the site are clearly visible in the QTVR movie. Also, an orientation graphic indicates the direction the viewer is looking at any time.

 

6. 3D model and aerial perspectives: Based on the hand-colored conceptual plan rendering, the program shows a 3D model of the site. The flat (2D) conceptual plan rendering forms the base of the model, depicting roads, parking lots, and building sites. Building masses and other features are shown as indicated the conceptual plan. Building elevations, roofs, parking decks, and trees are rendered as 3D objects. The model is combined with frames from the QTVR movie to show how the existing site will look with planned buildings and other features positioned on it. There are eight selected frames, one at each of the major points of a compass (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW). A closer (zoomed-in) version of each frame can also be viewed by the user.

 

1.c. Impact And Significance Of The Project On The Local Community

The program had a significant impact on the local community primarily because it served as a tool for presentations to neighborhoods, municipal agencies or other groups that needed to be informed about the development. During the planning phase it is important to get community "buy-in" before actually seeking formal approval. The La Frontera program helped answer questions and diffuse opposition from the citizens who would be impacted the most by the development.

This communication medium was chosen because multiple types of information can be incorporated into one source. (i.e. text, pictures, graphics, renderings) The effectiveness of communicating the La Frontera vision stemmed from the interactive nature of the CD-ROM. Each audience took a different path when navigating through the program, depending on their priorities and curiosity.

 

1. d. Unique Solution

The most distinguishing feature of the La Frontera interactive CD-ROM is its computer visualization component. An interactive "picture" was painted that allowed investors and citizens alike to peek at the future before it was past. The use of QTVR, three-dimensional models, and aerial perspectives helped its audience to actually "see" the La Frontera concept in living color. (SEE enclosed CD-ROM)