Creating an architectural project presentation using traditional media is a tedious task. To accomplish it, an architect has to spend long hours putting together a scale model of a building or drawing an illustration by hand. And somehow, they need to not just show the concept itself, but also explain to the client how it’s going to fit into its surroundings. It’s a difficult thing to do, since sketches are schematic, and recreating the context for a physical model is an extremely laborious process. Plus, the result still wouldn’t look realistic enough. However, there’s one thing that can help one get closer to landing the most amazing deals. And that’s 3D exterior visualization.
With CGI, architecture professionals can get unbelievably photorealistic visuals of their concepts to present to their clients. Furthermore, 3D renders don’t just show exteriors on their own. CG images depict the designs in context, making it much easier for viewers to put things in perspective and understand every aspect of the project. Plus, one can entrust the production of exterior CGI for a presentation to a specialized architectural visualization studio. And who wouldn’t want to delegate some of that workload, right?
Now, ready to learn how showing buildings within context makes concept visuals irresistible? Then let’s dive into the details of how 3D rendering helps architects get approvals on breathtaking projects. Let’s go!
#1. Exterior CGI Shows the Concept In Different Settings
Whenever one takes a photo of a real-life building exterior, one captures more than the main object alone. The other important aspects are the weather, season, and time of the day. They affect the way the building looks, shaping our perception of it. For instance, the feel that one and the same house gives off changes throughout the day, as the sun rises and sets, and artificial illumination replaces natural light.
So, why not use that to one’s own advantage? With 3D exterior visualization, an architect can demonstrate their concept in various settings or choose one that suits the design and the surroundings the most. This way, the client will get the full picture and start seeing the project as an actual place rather than an abstract idea. Plus, if the architect decides to get a 3D animation, they can opt for a time-lapse showing all the different weather, time of the day, and season settings in one video. Needless to say, any client would be delighted to see that. Which, in turn, would get the architecture specialist closer to getting the contract.
#2. Top-Notch CG Visuals Can Feature Mesmerizing Lighting Effects
Another thing that strongly affects the way we see a building is the lighting. And 3D exterior visualization allows for tapping into the power of its visual impact like nothing else. Professional 3D artists can create and even amplify any lighting effect to serve as a spotlight for the design. That helps to emphasize all the beautiful features of an exterior and to, literally, present it in the best light. For instance, in the 3D render above, the carefully set lighting — particularly, the so-called “God rays”, or crepuscular rays — makes the church look truly ethereal. It adds context to the image that highlights the purpose and atmosphere of the building, making the concept even more appealing to the client.
#3. Photorealistic 3D Exterior Visualization Includes Contextual Elements
It’s virtually impossible to imagine a building without its surroundings. Moreover, it’s pointless, since the environment plays a great part in the way we perceive architectural structures. Fortunately, architects who use realistic exterior rendering don’t need to worry about that. Because specialized 3D visualization studios have all the assets needed to recreate an ultra-realistic context for a building. Namely, they have tons of ready-to-use 3D models of trees, cars, fences, traffic lights, and so on to make architectural visuals extremely photorealistic. Furthermore, 3D artists can even add figures of people and pets to CG visuals in Photoshop. For true CGI experts, adding those objects to a 3D scene seamlessly is just a routine task.
Make sure your exterior design project takes your clients’ breath away
The great thing about 3D exterior visualization here is that the architecture professional can choose very specific items to make up the realistic context for their design. For instance, they can have trees in the scene that actually grow in the area in question. Or they can have a vintage car parked in the driveway of a residence if that’s what their client is into. Details like that add a personal touch to a concept presentation, helping the viewers warm up to the project faster.
#4. Architectural CGI Shows That the Building Matches the Neighborhood
When it comes to constructing new buildings in urban areas, it’s crucial that they stay in harmony with their surroundings. In some cases, that can even be a non-negotiable requirement. For instance, when the construction will be taking place in a historic part of a city, where maintaining a seamless look is of paramount importance.
To prove that their design will fit with the rest of the neighborhood, architects can use 3D exterior visualization with photo-matching. This technique allows CGI specialists to combine a 3D model of a building with an actual photo of the area where the project will be realized. This way, the client will see that the size, style, etc. of the structure is fully compatible with the existing environment.
#5. Exterior 3D Visualization Sets the Mood and Tells a Story
All of the above benefits of using architectural CGI provide one more advantage. When combined smartly, they allow for creating a particular atmosphere in a 3D render and adding a story to it. And we all know that storytelling sells better than dry facts and technicalities. So, it’s a great idea to invoke the viewer’s emotions with photorealistic 3D exterior visualization. As a result, the architect’s client will be able to easily get rid of any last doubts and approve the proposed concept.
Those were the 5 ways CGI showing designs in their expected context can help architecture professionals land amazing deals. As one can see, 3D exterior visualization can really make a concept presentation shine. And the best thing is that there’s no need for architects to spend their time and effort on making it. Because specialized 3D rendering studios are always there to help.
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Looking for professional 3D visualization services to impress your clients like never before? Contact us at ArchiCGI and get unforgettable exterior visuals for your project at the best price you can imagine, fast!
Ana Wayne
Content Writer, Copywriter
Ana is a content writer for ArchiCGI. She has a passion for design and architecture - and for talking about it. Outside of work, she is a fan of sci-fi movies and a street food connoisseur.