#spatialplanning

Arriva Designs turns Spatial Constraints into Tailored Luxury

Red vs Blue post - 2

Introduction

This blog documents the environment blockout stage of Red vs Blue. The primary objective of this phase was to explore building layout, spatial scale, and environmental flow for a combat-focused scene. The blockout process was used to establish architectural massing and open spaces that support movement and interaction within the environment.

The blockout serves as a foundation for understanding how the built space functions before progressing into more detailed stages of development.

Environment Blockout Purpose

The blockout phase was used to:

Define the overall scale of the environmentEstablish clear open areas suitable for combatTest height variation using platforms, stairs, and wallsSeparate foreground, midground, and background spaces

Simple geometric forms were intentionally used to keep the focus on space and structure, allowing rapid iteration without being distracted by detail or materials.

Blockout Workflow

The environment was constructed using basic shapes such as cubes, ramps, and planes to represent:

Building volumesCourtyards and open groundStaircases and elevation changesBoundary walls

This approach allowed quick adjustments to proportions and spacing, ensuring the environment felt balanced and functional for combat scenarios. Once the spatial layout felt correct, placeholder geometry was gradually replaced with architectural assets.

Use of Environment Assets

To add architectural accuracy and cultural context, I used environment assets from Fab titled:

KCISA – HWASEONG HAENGGUNG – Korean Traditional Palace

These assets were incorporated after the initial blockout to refine the structure while maintaining the original spatial layout. The use of existing assets helped:

Preserve realistic proportionsMaintain architectural consistencySpeed up environment development

The assets were used selectively so the scene remained readable and not visually overcrowded.

Flag Simulation

As part of environmental enhancement, I explored flag simulation entirely within Unreal Engine to introduce subtle motion to static architecture. This process focused purely on environmental interaction rather than character-driven animation.

The workflow included:

Base Geometry & Silhouette A simple rectangular mesh was created using the Extrude Polygon tool. Boolean operations with a noisy mesh were applied to break the silhouette and create natural irregularities.Pivot Adjustment & Texturing The pivot was repositioned to the edge where the flag connects to a pole. Textures were applied and UVs adjusted to ensure correct alignment.Skeletal Mesh Conversion The mesh was converted into a Skeletal Mesh by adding a root bone and joint, followed by skin binding.Cloth Physics & Weight Painting Clothing data was generated, and a weight gradient was painted so areas closer to the pole remained static while outer edges responded more to wind.Wind Simulation A Wind Directional Source was added to animate the flag. Wind strength and speed were adjusted to achieve natural movement. An optimisation technique learned was saving wind values during simulation by pressing the K key.

Conclusion

The environment blockout phase was essential in defining the spatial logic of Red vs Blue. By focusing solely on architecture, layout, and environmental interaction, I established a solid foundation for future work. This approach ensures that later stages such as character creation and cinematic development can be built upon a well-structured environment.

References

A Contemporary Residence Designed for Adaptable, Intentional Living| The Concreate Story

This Noida residence demonstrates how spatial flexibility, and subtle detailing can elevate contemporary residential design. With rotatable partitions, layered materiality, and programmatic clarity, the home balances communal engagement with individual retreat.

In seismically active regions, the safety of school infrastructure and evacuation zones is crucial. With GIS tools, students and researchers can develop interactive maps to assess school location safety, evacuation access, and hazard exposure. By layering schools, roads, fault lines, and land use, raw spatial data becomes a powerful visual tool for planning and preparedness.

Why Use GIS to Map School Safety in Earthquake Zones?

In earthquake scenarios, rapid evacuation and structural integrity determine outcomes. GIS helps us explore vital questions:

Are schools located near active fault lines?

Do they have accessible evacuation routes?

How many students fall within high-risk zones?

By overlaying spatial layers such as roads, topography, and school locations, users can assess exposure and propose mitigation strategies. Intuitive tools make it accessible for educational and planning use with no coding required.

Key Benefits of GIS Mapping in Education and Risk Assessment

Through hands-on spatial planning, this activity teaches essential GIS techniques like buffering and shelter mapping, applies real data to emergency scenarios, and brings together students, organizations, and agencies to build geospatial insight and improve disaster response efforts.

How to Use GIS tools for a Cyclone Shelter Mapping Project

Start your project by opening a new story, giving it a relevant name and description that highlights cyclone shelter mapping. Load critical layers including administrative borders, road networks, and land use to reflect populated zones. Draw the coastline using Add Story, and apply a 5 km buffer to mark the cyclone-prone region. Manually place cyclone shelters, adding key attributes such as capacity and emergency contacts. Use custom symbols and clear labels for better understanding. Share the finished map through the publish feature for emergency planning and public awareness.

Sample Data Fields for School Safety Mapping

Location, Student Capacity, Elevation (m), Evacuation Area, Nearby Roads, First Aid Kits, Seismic Retrofitting, Managed By, Safety Radius, Building Type, Year of Construction, Past Earthquake Impact, Safety Officer Name & Number

Educational Impact and Use Case

This GIS-based project turns seismic risk analysis into a student-friendly learning experience. It builds technical and spatial thinking skills while encouraging proactive planning. Ideal for subjects like geography, earth science, disaster risk reduction, and urban planning, this project prepares students for real-world problem solving and public safety applications.

Whether you're mapping logistics hubs or earthquake safety zones, GIS tools help reveal risks and prepare smarter responses. In vulnerable regions, it becomes a critical planning resource.

Conclusion

Mapping school safety in earthquake-prone areas using GIS platforms like MAPOG is a simple, effective way to connect learning with life-saving action. With basic layers and thoughtful analysis, students and researchers can evaluate risks and improve evacuation readiness.

🌐 Ready to create your school safety zone map? Start mapping smarter today.