University of Cincinnati Digital Campus

Virtual Grounds partnered with the University of Cincinnati Planning + Design + Construction (P+D+C) department to create a high-fidelity and accurate digital twin of the Downtown Campus. The collaboration spread through many years and build upon the university's entry for Google's View your Campus in 3D competition in 2007, spearheaded by VGI's Managing Partner Jose Kozan.

The set of 3D digital twin of the campus' structures also proved to be a valuable tool for the university's space management and planning. The database of 76 digital models of the Uptown West and Medical Campus became part of a web-based digital visualization and planning tool. The interactive planning interface was developed for P+D+C to support decision-making on assessment and planning of the UC Uptown Campus, both West and Medical. The software was built upon a game engine and capable of deployment across desktop, mobile and portable VR devices.

Client: University of Cincinnati Planning + Design + Construction PDC

University of Cincinnati Virtual Campus Tours

VGI designed, implemented and updated 2D and 3D virtual map tours of the Uptown and Medical Campus for desktop visitors, highlighting selected buildings, artwork, and landscape that populate the university's grounds. The 2D map tour was also adapted as a downloadable app for smartphones.

• Highlighting the Campus

  VGI recreated the selected buildings following the low-polygon approach and photo-realistic textures commonly employed in game design. The technique reflected in a lightweight set of 3D models that produced a realistic representation of the builldings without heavy processing and rendering, suitable for household computers.

• Playable Tour Paths

  The desktop architecture tour let online guests virtually visit the signature and LEED buildings through four automatic tours that followed the main streetfronts of the Downtown Campus: Martin Luther King Boulevard, Clifton Avenue/Historic Ridge, Corry St, and the Campus Mainstreet.

• The Mobile Experience

  The information was redesigned to showcase the content of the 2D tour of the Uptown and Medical Campus adapted for the mobile experience. Visitors can choose among three avaiable tour paths: get to know the art installations, the beautifully landscaped areas, and notable buildings around the campus.

University of Cincinnati P+D+C Planning Tool

Our collaboration with UC's Office of Planning + Design + Construction started in 2007, with the university's entry on Google's virtual campus competition where teams from educational institutions around the US modeled replicas of their campus for Google's 3D visualization platform Google Earth. The competition brought to light the potential for 3D models in supporting campus planning.

• Digital Twin for Campus Stewardship

  VGI expanded the digital twin of the university's Downtown Campus and developed a visualization platform to assist P+D+C's planning of the university grounds. The digital twin of the West and Medical Campuses has over 76 virtual buildings including temporary housing for a couple sites while new construction was being planned and executed.

• A Tool to Support Decision-Making

  The software allows users to tour the campus in aerial view or with the point of view of visitors walking around the area. The Planning Tool helps the office to assess and evaluate future construction by allowing users to turn off the structures individually and substitute an existing virtual model with a new design.