CODU 3D Virtual Environment
Creating Immersive 3D Virtual Environments for Global Student Engagement
CODU, an emerging student living accommodations company, is on a mission to redefine the student lifestyle by offering premium studio apartments tailored to the modern student. With a strong emphasis on international students, many of whom are unable to visit in person, CODU required an innovative solution to allow prospective tenants to explore their upcoming developments in Leeds and Lancaster remotely and in detail.
To meet this need, our Interactive Customer Experience (ICE) team developed an immersive 3D Virtual Environment that enabled students to navigate each accommodation scheme from anywhere in the world. This advanced digital experience allowed users to interact with the space, view available amenities, and explore different room types. A key feature included the ability to see surrounding universities, offering a bird’s eye perspective to explore the neighbourhood around each site and nearby points of interest such as pubs, supermarket, and local attractions, providing students with a real sense of the community they’d be joining.
We began by transforming 2D architectural plans into a rich 3D environment. Our team carefully modelled each space to scale and working closely with CODU’s interiors team to ensure every visual detail matched the intended design. From soft furnishings and textures to lighting schemes and floor finishes. This accuracy ensured the virtual tour mirrored that of the final built environment, capturing the desired look and feel with authenticity and precision.
To elevate the experience, we implemented advanced functionality tools such as interactive navigation spots and a bespoke user interface that allowed users to jump between key areas within the accommodation.
Users are even able to browse and book their preferred rooms directly through the platform, thanks to a smooth and intuitive redirection to CODU’s dedicated booking page on the NIDO website. This functionality enabled seamless room reservations to take place well in advance, allowing future residents to secure their spaces even before construction was fully complete.
Our ICE technology enabled CODU to drive early engagement, accelerate demand, and offer international students a compelling and convenient way to connect with their future home, long before stepping foot in the country. This forward-thinking approach marks a significant leap in student accommodation marketing, positioning CODU as a future-focused leader in the sector.