Case Study: 3D Animation for Solimar Towers Renovation — Raymond Nicolas Design House
When the Miami-based design house Raymond Nicolas reached out to us in 2022. Their request came with a bold challenge — to create a realistic flyover animation as well as exterior and interior renders for the renovation of Solimar Towers, two residential buildings constructed in the 1990s. The presentation was meant for the internal board, not public marketing. This meant the visuals had to speak for themselves, clearly communicating the design intent and atmosphere of the future spaces.
Curious how 3D rendering like this is made — and why it works so well for home builders? Read on.
Why They Chose ArchiCGI
The studio selected ArchiCGI for our proven ability to deliver large-scale 3D animation projects quickly and with precision. The Solimar Towers presentation had an extremely tight timeframe — only 2–3 weeks — while such projects typically require at least double that.
The client needed a CGI partner capable of handling the entire process — modeling, lighting, animation, and compositing — and trusted us for three main reasons:
- Speed and coordination: we’re known for managing high-volume architectural projects under time pressure;
- A wide range of CGI services: besides flyover animation, the studio wanted exterior and interior renders to make a well-rounded presentation for the board.
- Experience with design studios: our team understands the specific needs of designers who refine concepts mid-production and knows our way around art direction;
- Full-cycle production: we handle every stage internally, ensuring visual and stylistic consistency;
- Photorealistic animation quality: our portfolio highlights a variety of architectural animation styles, including the flyover type the client requested. Each project demonstrates our focus on realism, attention to detail, and smooth visual flow.
Project Overview
The project involved the renovation of all shared spaces — lobbies, lounges, and landscape areas — across two towers. The main goal was to produce a realistic 3D animation that conveyed the atmosphere of the renovated environment while reflecting the studio’s signature aesthetic.
Technical assignment:
- approved design references and floor plans;
- a SketchUp model with basic geometry (no textures, unfinished details);
- general notes for exteriors, with incomplete garden layouts;
- a Google Maps location of the real estate.
The requested delivery time was 2–3 weeks, but with feedback and revision rounds included, a realistic estimate was 4–6 weeks.
Challenges
- Compressed deadlines: the internal board meeting was scheduled, so production had to move at full speed.
- Incomplete design materials: some areas existed only as floor plans or conceptual sketches.
- Evolving design: the client updated design decisions based on our renders — the process became truly collaborative.
- Attention to detail: even minor decorative adjustments mattered, especially in the final versions.
Process and Workflow
To keep everything on track, a dedicated team leads coordinated modeling, lighting, and compositing across multiple zones.
We built a detailed timeline for the team and followed it rigorously.
- First previews were delivered according to plan.
- Updated iterations were sent every 1–2 days after receiving feedback.
- Communication with the client was active and open — they responded quickly and appreciated our technical advice regarding drone flight paths, camera movement, and lighting direction.
One area had no final design, only a basic plan. Instead of pausing production, our team recreated it in the same visual language as the rest of the project. This allowed the client to refine it later directly in 3D.
Solutions Implemented
- Assigned senior artists to critical interior and exterior zones. They worked overtime to finish everything within strict deadlines.
- Optimized rendering and compositing workflows for speed without quality loss.
- Recreated missing design areas using the client’s style references to ensure full visual integrity.
- Maintained continuous delivery through a shared progress calendar and daily internal syncs.
Results
Even with frequent changes and a tough timeline, the project got done and hit the board right on time. The visuals really captured what Solimar Towers would look and feel like after the renovation. The board gave the green light, and the client was happy — not just with the final look, but with how smoothly everything went along the way.
“We are really satisfied working with you, guys.”
Visual Deliverables
- Interior visualization (lobby, clubroom, business area)
- Exterior rendering and aerial perspectives
- Full flyover architectural animation with camera tracking
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This project didn’t follow the usual routine. It was all about moving fast, trusting each other, and nailing the details even when the clock was ticking. The team had tight deadlines and high requirements for every detail, but everyone pulled together. In the end, the CGI crew took an idea and made it real—no shortcuts on style or quality.
Need to win over your real estate investors? Use our top-tier CGI services — and get results that go beyond expectations!
Valerie Adams
Blog Writer
Valerie is an editor and content writer. She used to work on news and entertainment TV channels and in a fashion & design magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting foreign countries, art events, film and street dancing festivals.
