Computer generated images (CGI’s) help architects to communicate what is not immediately obvious to people looking at traditional design drawings such as plans, sections or elevations. Shown in perspective, they display a scheme as it would be seen in reality, breaking down the barrier of any architectural training required to fully read traditional drawings. Many people find it easier to understand a design when it can be viewed in 3d rather than when presented with traditional two dimensional drawings.
Within our office, architectural renders are typically used to display either the quality of internal space and light created, the massing of a project within its context or a photorealistic view. One of this medium’s strongest benefits is the ability to explore the daylighting and shadow paths in and around a building during different times of the day & year.
As part of the design process in the office, 3D computer models are used alongside plans, sections and elevations to test out and develop architectural concepts at an early stage. They help to effectively communicate ideas during community consultations to the public, client presentations and planning applications. Trimble Sketchup is a 3D modeling tool used within the office to develop schemes and explore the physical massing of buildings on and around the site. This model can then if required, be exported into a rendering system such as kerkythea, where material properties such as reflection, transparency and bump (texture) can be altered. Kerkythea has a range of rendering options for differing types or qualities adding physically accurate light to specific scenes.
The type of rendered visuals used generally by Grainge Architects generally fit into three categories:
- Simple mono-cromatic models are used at an early stage in the design process to display the form and massing of a building within its context. These images focus attention on the form and spaces created without getting bogged down in conversation about materials or detail.
- Photomontage images are used to display a developed project within its context with all decisions on the colour and type of materials already made. These images are most useful for planning applications and public consultations. It can be a good method for displaying the contrast between existing and proposed realistic views.
- Photorealistic views are useful when establishing the quality of space created by a project. These have been used at a later, post planning stage as a tool to make decisions about the internal fit out of key spaces. For certain projects, these have also been used as a marketing tool for our clients, selling the project to potential customers.