Respect what already exists
Watford Borough Council already has a planning-focused 3D model. Our independent concept aims to explore complementary uses, not claim to replace it or create Watford’s first model.
INDEPENDENT INITIATIVE · WATFORD, UK
A different
perspective
on our town.
Buildings. Streets. Possibilities.
A vision for understanding Watford in 3D, connecting the places we know with the decisions that shape what comes next.
WD51.66° N
0.40° W
0.40° W
01 / THE VISION
A town is more than
a collection of buildings.
It is the view down a familiar street. The relationship between old and new. The way a proposed building changes a skyline.
Watford.Digital is an early-stage initiative from GeekWorks and OpenAspect 3D, exploring how spatial data and reality capture can make those relationships easier to see, discuss and understand.
Our ambition is a useful, evidence-led digital representation of Watford, starting with town-centre context and growing through carefully sourced data and collaboration.
02 / LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITIES
One place.
Different perspectives.
Switch between three ways to explore urban context. This illustration demonstrates the idea, not a surveyed model of Watford.
Understand how buildings, streets and spaces relate to one another. A shared 3D context can make complex proposals more accessible.
03 / WHAT WE ARE EXPLORING
01
Town-centre context
Bring terrain, building footprints and licensed height data together as a clear foundation for architectural and urban conversations.
02
Skylines & visual impact
Explore massing, important views and the relationship between proposals and their surroundings. Formal verified views require surveyed viewpoints, an agreed methodology and independent quality checks.
03
Reality capture
Explore detailed interior and exterior capture through OpenAspect 3D, with the right permissions, accuracy requirements and deliverables agreed for each project.
04
Towards a digital twin
A longer-term ambition to connect spatial context with meaningful operational data. Live sensors, integrations and council systems are not connected to this site.
04 / BUILT ON TRUST
Useful starts
with credible.
A beautiful model is only part of the story. Knowing where the information comes from matters just as much.
Make provenance visible
Keep source, capture date, accuracy and licence information alongside each future data layer. Clearly separate measured information, assumptions and proposed scenarios.
Permissions before publication
Protect privacy, agree capture rights and use only assets we are entitled to share. No proprietary Miller Hare model or council data is included here.
05 / THE PATH FORWARD
Start focused. Build with purpose.
Define the foundation
Establish the concept, investigate suitable data and identify the questions a local model should answer.
Test a small area
Proposed pilot: assemble a clearly documented town-centre context model and review its usefulness with potential collaborators.
Connect the layers
Explore new capture, richer building information and digital-twin integrations where there is a practical need and permission to proceed.
EXISTING WATFORD RESOURCES
Council’s existing 3D model ↗Digital Urban’s Watford catalogue ↗External resources are operated by their respective owners. Access and reuse may be restricted.
LET’S LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE
What would you like
to see more clearly?
For architects, property teams, venue operators and organisations exploring the value of 3D context.
Start a conversation ↗