What you see is what you get – how many times has that been said? In the field of architecture, this could be said about architectural rendering in the Design Development phase. The Design Development phase of architectural design can be of considerable importance in the ongoing communication process between designers and customers or owners. Visuals help keep this communication clear and transparent, and one of the key visual representations in this phase, rendering, is versatile, photorealistic and accurate when depicting the final structure. Here’s why high-quality architectural rendering services can move a project forward.
Useful both for new constructions and for renovations, rendering software’s prime objective is to provide a simulation of a building from a range of angles and distances, in the most accurate way possible. When the rendered image is accurate, it helps locate dimensional problems, it can help assess the usage of available space, and it enables the customer to be happy (or not) with both the inside and outside of their building . . . and these functions occur before construction commences.
During the Design Development phase, the architect and client work closely together to choose interior finishes, appliances and materials for windows, doors and fixtures. The initial drawings from the Schematic Design stage are modified, adding details from revised sketches. At the conclusion of this stage, the interior and exterior building design is finalised by the owner and the architect. The plans and elevations are reviewed and revised to include specifications and details needed for construction.
Project elements detailed in the Design Development stage include:
- Building materials and finishes used for the interior and the exterior
- Furniture and equipment choices and locations
- Cabinet and custom fabrications
- Lighting and technological design
- Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems
- Miscellaneous issues that affect project constructability and that may require changes to the project or to the budget
At the end of the Design Development stage, design drawings and specifications are almost complete. The building's size, purpose, materials, configuration and spaces and the use of equipment and materials used for the structures and systems are defined. Then, the project’s budget, schedule and all building plans are decided.
So, how does rendering fit into this process?
Rendering can be done during the Schematic stage of design, but it is during the Design Development stage that many of the details of the design can be easily and comprehensively communicated to the customer through rendered images. These visual assets can be used to sell the project’s key features.
Photorealistic images are generated by rendering 3D models that include the basic mechanical and architectural details of the project design. Rendered images can be updated during the Design Development stage as changes occur. Though previously created in-house, an increasing number of engineers and designers are using external rendering specialists to create these images.
Models are endowed with a range of visual effects with rendering, such as shading, texture mapping, shadows, reflections and motion blurs. Improved rendering algorithms and hardware acceleration have made software more powerful than before.
The key five ways rendered images are beneficial during the Design Development stage are as follows:
1. Design Flaw Identification
To picture a building in its entirety by only looking at 2D drawings has its limitations. A 3D model of a building helps see the structure from all angles. Due to this, a significant number of design flaws can be identified, which may otherwise have slipped through. These flaws can be amended before construction begins. By doing so, unnecessary expenses are minimised and construction time is shortened.
2. Effective Communication
Architects typically aim to give customers a building that they want, as much as possible. Sometimes what the customer desires may not match with the architect’s understanding. With this 3D view of exteriors and interiors, the customer has a more informed understanding of building functions, materials and appearance. If the design seems to clash with what the customer wants, modifications can be made at this point.
3. Promotes Saleability
The view of both exteriors and interiors in 3D can help the architect display his work to the customer and convince him of why the design works efficiently for his needs. Realty developers use them to convince potential stakeholders of the project’s worth and to invest in the project. Rendered images help market houses, condominiums and villas to potential clients.
4. Walk-throughs
A walk-through is essentially a video developed from a series of rendered images so that the viewer can see external views of the building project and also has the ability to exist inside the building and actually walk through it. This lets the viewer experience a feel of the layout and experience different aspects of the building – to virtually imagine how to navigate the interiors of the building before the building has been constructed.
5. Planning and Strategy
Views generated by 3D rendered images help plan for how the interior designs of the building can be handled. Designers and architects can prepare 3D interior strategy that they can use to communicate with the task force on site and show other stakeholders. This way, they can see potential defects and rectify them.
These are some of the key reasons for architectural rendering services becoming an essential tool for architects and interior designers worldwide during the Design Development phase. With several overseas firms offering 3D architectural rendering services at affordable prices and delivering 3D rendering and walk-throughs on schedule, they are becoming an increasingly preferred choice for Western firms in need of such services.
