Case Studies: Downtown Santa Rosa

Wide Area Modeling:
Santa Rosa, CA

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In order to fully assess the visual impact of a series of potential highrise developments in Downtown Santa Rosa, a new form of visual presentation was needed. Standard digital renderings and animations can restrict the user's point of view and are not well suited to the review of larger urban areas.

Working together with Kevin Kellogg & Associates of Santa Rosa, Maraizon International developed a context model comprising a 20-block area of Downtown Santa Rosa using the Quake 3 video game engine.

A game engine approach allows anyone with a suitably-equipped PC to explore the model and proposed future developments from any angle, and to move through this model as if walking, driving or flying. It offers unprecedented levels of interactivity for developers, planners, and the public.

Maraizon is currently producing a wide area model of equal size adjacent to this model for the Community Development Department of the City of Santa Rosa.

Quake 3 is an open source game engine appliction.