Architectural visualization: definition, history, and future!
Architectural visualization is the art of creating three-dimensional images or animations showing the attributes of a proposed architectural design.
History of architectural visualization
The history of architectural visualization is connected to that of other disciplines like painting, photography and engineering. In this section, we'll discuss architectural visualization during different periods of history.
Ancient civilizations
The earliest architectural plans were made by the ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians over 4,000 years ago. Greek philosophers often debated what constituted attractive, useful architecture, and Vitruvius, a famous Roman architect, believed that order, arrangement, eurythmy, symmetry and economy were the pillars of architecture.
The Renaissance
During the Renaissance, artists learned how to use perspective to provide viewers with a realistic, informative view of their subjects. One outstanding example was Leonardo da Vinci, who created his visualizations with an exceptional level of detail.
The Baroque period
During this period, architecture was extremely dramatic and ornate. It often depicted strong moods and emotions, which are concepts that can be applied to 3D architectural visualizations today.
The Middle Ages: By the Middle Ages, many of the ancient practices had been lost and architectural plans often lacked uniformity and precision. However, later on, during the Gothic Period, advances were made in how buildings were designed, which is evident from surviving structures such as the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris.
In the 20th century, as visualization technologies continued to improve, architects and engineers were able to create a wide variety of structures for homeowners and corporations.
With this came an increased need to provide the client with a detailed portrayal of the plan. In the 1960s, IBM came out with the first computer-aided design (CAD) software, which revolutionized the industry as many companies recognized its convenience, accuracy and cost-effectiveness.
Types of architectural visualization
In shorts, there are five types of architectural visualization:- Exterior renderings
- Interior renderings
- CG panoramas
- 3D animation
- Virtual tours
External 3D visualization
3D exterior rendering holds the top position on this list, as this type of rendering is perhaps one of the most widely used ones in the industry. There's no better way to show the outside of a building to a potential investor than using photorealistic digital images.That's why this rendering type is mostly used in architecture and real estate industries. In fact, external 3D visualization helps gather money and approve projects for construction, as it allows investors and contractors to understand designs and plans better.
Photorealistic images are also an excellent way to wow a potential client and let them delve deeper into the project.
What's really special about external visualization is that it helps put the focus on texturing and lighting. Such photo-real renders help architects and designers communicate virtual design features with clients by showcasing how they look in real life.
This gives potential clients and investors the feeling of seeing the building with their own eyes before it goes into construction. This is essential for the client-artist communication and relationship as both parties can be on the same page, doing any necessary modifications.
Clients can also view the project from any angle, and it's this feature that makes a significant difference in presenting a project. Multiple angles make it easier to demonstrate the unique benefits of a project to clients and target audiences.
External visualization allows you to communicate the purpose of any design to fit any project. By doing so, it helps establish an emotional connection between the artist and the audience.
Interior rendering
What starts on the outside reflects on the inside. Just as exterior matters, the interior plays a crucial role in selling and promoting any interior space. 3D interior visualization is vital to showcasing still images of any specific feature or the layout of any interior space.
There are different types of interior rendering, customized to showcase the particular interior space better. There's no better way to experience the coziness and utility of a living room or any other room of the design.
Photorealistic pictures allow designers to display the livability, unity, and spaciousness of the interior space to their clients, in real-time.
That way, they ideally capture the real feel while communicating the harmony between the function and shape of space and all the elements in it.
This is how interior rendering serves as a tool that designers use to convey every aspect of a design, from the atmosphere and textures down to style, layout, and every other visible detail.
It's how designers make sure they are on the same page with their clients in terms of the wanted design, colors, furniture, and other details.
Modern clients like you to present a specific furniture brand that they prefer as a 3D model. This way, they can see how it looks in photorealistic quality before they make a decision to buy it.
CG panoramas
What better way to show any place than taking the viewer through an interactive real-time 360-degree experience, where they can experience every aspect of space through a panoramic view in real life.This is currently one of the biggest trends in architecture. It allows clients and investors to explore the place, experience the overall effect, go through every detail, and move freely through space. This is the best way clients can make a decision if the place really is for them and their needs.
CG panorama requires more effort and time than any still photorealistic image as it includes the rendering of a 2D panoramic image to achieve a 3D visualization. Transforming a 2D image into a 3D visualization takes as much time and effort as two or even three regular renders.
The results are more than worthwhile though as you get the highest level of immersive experience – enough to make the client buy the design after taking a virtual tour.
CGI panorama is one of the most effective types of architectural 3D rendering, aimed at persuading clients to buy the design, using their own effort and intuition.
With a virtual tour through the design, the clients are using CGI panorama to sell it to themselves. The experience they get is so immersive that it makes them want to make an instant purchase.
3D animation
The view can smoothly sink in through different scenes, getting into every detail down to the tiniest bit. This is perhaps the best way the client can see everything that one project has to offer.
It's also a fantastic way to take your clients on a virtual tour, similar to CG panorama only better. It's more expressive and real, and it helps save time, effort, and cost.
3D architectural animation covers every angle and detail of any projected space, and it allows the audience to form a connection with any area by making them experiencing the depth of space.
Any client looking to buy a certain property can see with their very own eyes what it has to offer. With 3D animation, covering every angle, space, detail, and feature of the selected building is a breeze. This type of 3D rendering requires an approach that's a bit different than other 3D rendering types.
To proceed with 3D animation, professionals and artists need dimensions varying in quality of resolution, project type, and references.
To additionally grab the attention of their clients, 3D animation artists can add a logo, background music, professional voiceover, and text to make things more interesting.
Virtual tours
The last on this list is perhaps the most efficient way to take someone on the most immersive ride with the main goal aimed at selling an interior, exterior, or any other kind of design.Most professionals and experts consider virtual tours to be the most immersive experience that no other 3D rendering type can come even close.
Virtual reality tour offers an entire set of panoramic photos that are sequenced in the form of a video that includes text and sound, depending on the needs. This incredibly effective type of 3D rendering is mostly used in architecture and real estate. It allows professionals to take clients on a literal virtual tour to show what the space will look like when built.
This is essential in construction too as it avoids the risk of making mistakes that take tremendous amounts of time, effort, and money to fix.
Clients can go through every detail and angle of any project before they OK it. Virtual tours leave any feature open for modifications or adjustments if need be.
The detail and realism that virtual tours offer make it a lot easier for architects to present their work to potential clients. The content presented is shareable across any communication channel the client prefers.
Why are architectural renderings important?
Architectural renderings are perhaps the most effective way to communicate ideas in the architectural industry — they require no additional physical materials, they're faster than traditional methods of model making, and they show more.
You can explain your ideas to anybody
It's cost-effective
You may assume that a technology as sophisticated as 3D architectural visualization is pricey — and in its early days, it certainly was. However, 3D rendering has become much more affordable over the years and is now within the budget of most homeowners. Even 3D animations, which can portray even more to potential clients than just images, have a high cost-to-benefit ratio.
However, because 3D software has become increasingly accessible to everybody, it's not uncommon to come across freelancers who offer their services at a reduced cost. Be cautious when considering cheaper services — the final product may be of much lower quality. Investing into a qualified 3d rendering studio should be a wiser option.
You can detect project errors early on
It's all too common for project budgets to be exceeded as a result of the changes made by clients while the structure is being built. This is because clients often have no architectural training and have difficulty comprehending certain ideas before the construction stage begins, especially if there aren't enough drawings to communicate particular ideas.
3D models give clients the opportunity to spot issues early on. With a photo-realistic rending of their project, they can know whether they dislike the design and layout of something right from the start. By catching the problem in the early stages, they can avoid the potentially enormous costs of making changes after construction has already begun.
You can use 3D models as marketing tools
If you're an architect wanting to attract investors and businesses, creating a stunning image of your project idea is a great way to advertise yourself. Sketch drawings and blueprints, while informative, will not serve to promote your projects and ideas.
It is better to hire a rendering company that can accurately convey your ideas through 3D visualization.
You can make more engaging presentations
As we mentioned above, it's almost always more efficient and effective to communicate your ideas with clear visuals. By presenting your audience with photo-realistic renderings, you will receive positive reactions and meaningful feedback from your audience.
The best Software for Architectural Rendering
The best renders usually come out of software best suited for the task. While there are several different types of software to choose from for 3D rendering, some are better than others.
The best software is geared specifically towards architecture and has tools in place to make your job easier. Some of them are:
- Revit
- ArchiCAD
- Cedreo
- Rhino3D
- 3ds Max
- Maxwell Render
- V-Ray
For more details, please read our article about 18 best software for architectural rendering.
The future of 3D architectural visualization
The increased efficiency of 3D architectural visualization allows for a design process that is more iterative. An architect can envision a project, get it quickly rendered, find places that need changes and quickly make those changes to their model. Once these quick steps have taken place, the architect or architecture company can then show the project to their client, the client can identify changes they want, and the changes will be made in an interactive fashion.
Perhaps the most exciting possibility for 3D architectural visualization is the use of virtual reality (VR) technology. If renderings are combined with VR, an architect can take their client on a virtual tour of their design, letting them experience the potential of the project will full immersion.
Using VR can lead to more than faster a pprovals — it can also give clients more confidence to move forward with their project. Virtual experiences let the client explore the design, providing them with more peace of mind about funding an expensive project.
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