Macro Works provides a full suite of LVIA related tools and skills for a broad spectrum of energy, infrastructure and commercial developments.
LANDSCAPE AND VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (LVIA)
Macro Works have developed a reputation as one of Ireland’s leading LVIA consultancies. In fact, we are the only Landscape Architecture practise in Ireland dedicated solely to LVIA and we are passionate about what we do. Our clients recognise that LVIA is about more than just the end report and they rely on our experienced advice and professional rigour throughout the planning process. Our services include:
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Project feasibility,
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Options appraisal,
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Scheme design advice
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Landscape mitigation design
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Scoping
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Assessment reporting
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Appeals and response to submissions
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Oral hearings (Expert witness evidence)
VERIFIABLE
PHOTOMONTAGE
Macro Works produces industry-leading photomontages that are fully compliant with all the relevant guidelines for Ireland and the UK.
Accuracy and graphic quality are the cornerstones of defendable photomontages. Macro Works ensure both by combining cutting edge modeling and geospatial technology with high-resolution photography captured by our qualified and experienced in-house photographers. Our talented graphics team then provides the ‘artistic’ touch to create the photorealism required for high standard photomontages.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Macro Works employ a pragmatic, problem-solving approach to landscape design and specification, as much of this work emanates from our LVIA projects in the form of landscape mitigation generated through the LVIA process. Our qualified and experienced Landscape Architects come from a range of design backgrounds, which ensures a balance of lateral thinking, creativity and pragmatism in our landscape design solutions.
3D CGI: STATIC AND ANIMATED
Macro Works produce high quality 3D visual simulations in the form of CGI fly-throughs and oblique aerial images to complement our renowned verifiable photomontage work. The expansion into this sphere of 3D visualisations recognises that our clients need to present their developments to a broader audience than just planning authorities. Our simulations provide clear context, as well as atmosphere, and can include both daytime and night time scenarios.
VISIBILITY ANALYSIS
Robust LVIA relies on a sound understanding of where in its surrounding context a proposed development may be viewed from. Macro Works’ GIS team are experts at combining 3D data sets to illustrate scheme visibility.
The standard GIS process is used to produce the familiar form of ‘Zone of Theoretical Visibility’ (ZTV) maps, but Macro Works have gone much further and developed more advanced forms of visibility analysis. These include;
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Reverse ZTV Analysis
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Digital Surface Model (DSM) visibility mapping
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DSM + proposed mitigation visibility mapping
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Theoretical Visual Intensity (TVI) mapping
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Route Screening Analysis (RSA)
Macro Works have also developed more advanced forms of DSM-based visibility mapping/modeling that can be used for remote visibility analysis from private property to support Residential Visual Amenity Assessment (RVAA).
GLINT AND GLARE
Macro Works have developed Ireland’s only proprietary Glint and Glare analysis software and we combine this with two decades of visibility analysis experience to produce reliable Glint and Glare Assessment reports.
Not content with the limited offering of Glint and Glare analysis software, Macro Works partnered with a Physics Professor from NUI Maynooth to produce Ireland’s only proprietary Glint and Glare Analysis software. This has been employed on over 100 solar projects to date as well as a number of high rise building projects.
As well as utilising our Glint and Glare software to quantify potential effects, Macro Works have the experience and expertise to offer practical, landscape design based solutions to reduce/eliminate such desired effects. This is the benefit of being a Landscape Architecture practice offering an industry-leading Glint and Glare assessment service.