Animation conveys eco-home concept

May 29 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

His building is based on his own design of an eco-friendly urban dwelling.

It uses fast-track construction materials such as a steel frame and precast concrete floor beams. The concrete roof and floor are designed to help the building retain heat and release it slowly.

Under floor heating would ideally connect to a district heating system powered by a bio-mass boiler and it would feature the latest generation black silicon photovoltaic panels to harness renewable energy.

Mark said: “There would also be rain water harvesting and a green roofing system – all of which can be clearly visualised and understood by a client through the 3D animation of the construction process.”

Bjorn Wittenberg, education solutions specialist at Autodesk, said: “Mark’s animation and expert use of the 3D imagery and sound in this piece has impressed not just the students at our workshops but also our own design technicians who developed the Studio Max system used in this piece.”

Margaret Horne, a principal lecturer and director of the Built Environment Visualisation Centre at Northumbria University’s School of the Built Environment, said: “Clients are increasingly seeking energy efficient, durable, low maintenance and cost effective buildings that incorporate new materials and innovative construction techniques.

“Mark has produced an outstanding animation which has captured the attention of one of the world’s leading companies in this increasingly important, and specialised, field and we are especially pleased that his exemplary piece of work is being showcased to other students in a drive to raise the understanding, knowledge and ability of a new generation of construction specialists.”