Breathtaking results

GMJ create deceptively simple designs that captivate the eye and make viewers wonder what’s real.

With offices in London and Paris, GMJ is an international leader in visualization for architects and developers, making design ideas look like the real world. A KTP project at GMJ is helping to create new city modelling software, which promises to revolutionise the design and development process.

Architects have used GMJ’s three-dimensional visualisations for some very high profile developments. GMJ worked closely with ‘Make Architects’ to create a series of views of their proposed ‘Aquatic Centre’ design for the London 2012 Olympic Bid Team. They have worked with Foster and Partners design team to create the signature images of their re-development and master-plan proposal that competed in the re-designing competition for the new World Trade Centre building in New York City and they are also working on illustrations of the Kings Cross redevelopment, the London Hospital and Wembley Stadium.

With an international reputation for accurate and realistic design services, GMJ turned to London South Bank Universities KTP programme when they decided they wanted to take create an ambitious new product – city modelling software for London and Liverpool. The new produce will allow users to type in a London or Liverpool postcode and instantly see a three-dimensional model of the area, accurate right down to the graffiti on the walls.

Robert Graves, company manager and a supervisor on the project said the KTP programme has given GMJ additional knowledge to help build the new product that could transform the way new developments are planned and marketed. "It has opened up a whole new view of contacts and it is interesting to have that support and that link to a University. It is a great opportunity for us to do new things and it is a good way to be able to afford it."

The KTP Associate, Hong Zhou is pursuing a higher degree through the programme and said the project is giving him work experience in new and unprecedented areas of expertise. "The benefit to me has been the work experience. It is a very interesting project and there is a lot of new technology and new knowledge. It is very useful to my career and it has also given me the chance to increase my management skills and training."

Hong is creating a more detailed database of descriptive GIS data that will be combined with photographic images to further develop the city modelling software. About 36 Kilometres of London are now complete including the areas around Hyde Park, Regents Park, Tower Bridge and South London. About 7km of Liverpool are now complete too.

Dr Ebad Banissi, the academic supervisor on the project said GMJ has helped them strengthen the Universities knowledge in visualisation techniques. "It's fascinating work," he said.

GMJ recently hired a second KTP Associate who is working to increase the sophistication of computer imaging for the architectural design industry.