Newcastle-based Space Group, specialists in design and technology, has launched Twinview, a brand new, digital platform designed to change the way buildings are managed and perform, helping to make them safer and more energy-efficient.
The platform has been four years from research and development to go-live. Having launched just a few weeks ago Twinview is already in discussions with a number of national and international businesses. With eight people initially working at Twinview, the plan is to grow this to around 20 over the next two years, split between Newcastle and locations in London, Europe and North America.
Twinview is powered by cloud-based, 3D digital twins – digital replicas of physical buildings – which connect the virtual and the physical buildings with real-time analytical data. This allows building owners to manage, monitor and maintain critical construction and operational information. This will enable them to ensure buildings are functioning as safely and efficiently as possible and improve performance over time as more data is collected and analysed.
Space Group CEO, Rob Charlton, said;
“The original concept for Twinview was very much developed in response to discussions we were having with clients and the challenges they were facing. The problem was that while complex building models were developed through the design and construction process, due to the need for proprietary software, training and hardware, this information could not be viewed or maintained after building handover.
“We’ve worked closely with real estate investment trusts as well as digital specialists in the sector to make sure Twinview will help address a number of issues that have been discussed for some time. While we started work on the platform before the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, Twinview does respond to the recommendations made by Dame Judith Hackitt in her report. It will provide a ‘golden thread’ of information which is easily accessible by anyone, anywhere.
“While there are existing solutions that deliver elements of what Twinview offers, very few do everything that we are doing in one environment. Twinview also removes the need for specialist and expensive hardware, software and training. Not only can users view models online using just a web browser, they’ll also be able to update their models and view and access live data right down to individual asset level in milliseconds.”
The information Twinview provides can be used to monitor energy performance in real-time and ensures everyone who needs it has access the entire building history to ensure safe operation. Initially Twinview will focus on clients in the commercial, universities and social housing sectors, but ultimately it is intended for use in a far wider range of applications including hospitality and hotels, retail, infrastructure, transport, private housing and schools.
Rob Charlton concluded;
“The North East is a real hotspot for digital construction excellence and pioneering products and services that are helping shape the sector in the UK and beyond. Twinview is another example of the industry-leading innovation that has become synonymous with our region. The launch of Twinview removes the need for capital investment into bespoke solutions, which immediately makes it far more accessible to more organisations, at a time when building safety, efficiencies and performance management will need to be carefully balanced with financial considerations.”
For more information visit www.twinview.com
Posted in: Digital and Tech, General