Visualization of architectural designs is essential for builders, developers, architects and designers to assess the accuracy and quality of a design before they begin building. Architectural renderings allow problems to be recognized early and improvements to be made efficiently. These 3D renderings can be a valuable communication tool between colleagues, as well as a great selling point for potential buyers.
Types of Architectural Rendering
Depending on your particular goals, there are a variety of types of 3D architectural renderings available.
1. Exterior
Exterior 3D architectural renderings have a vantage point outside of a building or structure. Exterior renderings are perfect for builders and architects who are proposing new construction projects. Exterior renderings can be simple models or can be full of realistic design elements including fences, foliage, streets, trees, and even people. Surrounding properties can also be included in exterior renderings to provide a better sense of location.
2. Aerial
This type of exterior rendering displays the building or structure from above and outside of the building. Typically aerial renderings include more of the surrounding environment than basic exterior 3D renderings. These renderings are useful for visualizing how a new building will blend with the surrounding buildings to fit into a city or neighborhood's current design. Viewing a site from above also helps architects choose the ideal orientation of buildings and landscape features.
3. Interior
Interior 3D architectural renderings place the vantage point inside of a room. These renderings are effective for real estate agents to help clients and potential buyers visualize the inside of a home or apartment. 3D interior renderings will display accurate representations of colors, shadow, and light inside of a space for a truly immersive experience. Interior renderings can show any variety of furniture and features that the client chooses to best market a property.
While 2D drawings can give a sense of the inside of a space, 3D renderings can better highlight interesting and detailed design elements such as wood paneling or wall textures that can be a major selling point. These realistic interior renderings allow clients to visualize living in a space before they purchase it.
4. Floor Plan
Traditional 2D-floor plans show the general layout of a house or apartment so clients can get a grasp of the orientation and size of the space. While 2D-floor plans are generally effective, 3D floor plans can provide added depth and detail that is beneficial for marketing higher-end properties or more substantial projects. Floor plans allow potential buyers to visualize themselves and their own furniture in a space.
5. Animation
3D architectural renderings can also be created in a video format that carries the viewer through a home or around a site. These immersive renderings are perfect for real estate agents and brokers as they allow buyers to experience what it would be like to be inside a property without actually traveling to it. Animations enable buyers to explore space and get a strong sense of its features, layout, and overall feel.
Benefits of Architectural Renderings
Traditional 2D designs and drawings can give a good sense of a design but can be difficult for those without a background in architecture to interpret. 3D renderings present buyers and developers with a better understanding of a design. Architectural renderings also provide many benefits to architects and designers during the design and marketing process. Below are 12 benefits of 3D architectural renderings:
1. Better Design Accuracy
Even with the most precise calculations, people can make errors in measurements and angles in architectural design. 3D rendering allows designers to test models for accuracy of measurements and structural integrity.
2. View From Any Angle
While 2D drawings are limited to a few different viewpoints, 3D rendering allows designs to be viewed from any angle. This is helpful both on the back and front end. Designers and architects can visualize buildings and rooms from every angle for a fuller understanding of what the final design will look like in real life. When used for advertising, 3D renderings can display many angles that highlight the best and most interesting features of a design for buyers.
3. Improved Communication
3D architectural renderings improve communication between designers and architects who are collaborating on a project as well as between designers and their clients. Architects can share electronic renderings quickly with colleagues and make changes easily. The realistic visualization provided by 3D renderings allows clients to understand complex designs better than trying to decipher 2D drawings.
4. Catch Problems Earlier
The improved accuracy and ease of visualization afforded by 3D renderings also make it easier to catch errors in designs earlier in the process. This allows potential problems with stability or structural integrity to be corrected before construction begins.
5. Make Adjustments Earlier
3D renderings can also make it easier to recognize areas for improvement early in the process. Designers and architects may notice unappealing spaces and make design changes, or a client may be able to identify features they dislike. You can also show 3D renderings to test audiences before construction and allow them to give feedback on the design.
6. Make Design Changes Easily
Compared to traditional blueprints or drawings, 3D renderings can be updated and adjusted more quickly and efficiently. Alterations can be made on the fly during meetings with clients or colleagues so you can deliver better service and agree on a design element faster. There is also more flexibility to experiment with new ideas or options without recreating a design from scratch.
7. Reduce Construction Costs
By correcting errors and making adjustments before construction, builders prevent costly stalls in construction that would occur if problems weren't caught until building. By ironing out potential kinks early, construction crews can shorten execution time, which also reduces costs.
8. Better Visualization of the Final Result
The marketing potential of 3D renderings is what makes them so appealing to real estate agents, designers, architects, and builders. 3D architectural renderings allow clients and potential buyers to visualize the building more accurately than traditional 2D drawings. Because most consumers now browse listings online, producing vivid electronic representations is essential to converting prospects to actual buyers.
9. More Engaging Advertising
In addition to providing more accurate images, 3D renderings are also more engaging than 2D drawings. 3D architectural renderings can be beautiful and eye-catching. Viewers are often surprised that 3D renderings are not real photos of the building or room. Potential buyers are more likely to pay attention and respond to advertisements that feature attractive 3D renderings instead of flat 2D designs.
10. Immersive Marketing Potential
Technology today makes it possible to create incredibly immersive 3D renderings of properties and homes. Take 3D architectural renderings to the next level in 3D architectural animations. These videos carry the viewer through or around the project to experience what that space would feel like in reality, even if the property has not yet been built. When potential buyers can truly visualize themselves living in the space, they are more likely to convert. These videos also afford a leg up for your marketing efforts as over 80 percent of people report being convinced to purchase a product or service after watching a video about it.
11. Advertise Earlier
While 3D architectural renderings are a valuable selling point for existing properties or apartments, they are even more useful for gaining interest in properties that have not yet been built. Architects can sell designs to developers using realistic 3D renderings, and real estate agents can advertise apartments or office spaces while they are still in the construction phase. 3D renderings of architectural designs are also particularly helpful in boosting investments. When potential investors can better visualize what a property will look like in real life, they are more likely to support it with an investment. Advertising earlier also means you can start receiving income from your properties more quickly after they are completed.
12. Perfect for Online Advertising
Online advertising is the primary means of advertising today, and 3D renderings are perfect for online mediums. You can promote 3D renderings on social media, your company's website, or online listings. When you post 3D renderings online, you reach a broader audience, which leads to more conversions.
How to Choose the Right 3D Rendering Service
Because of the rise in popularity of 3D architectural rendering, there is a multitude of services to choose from, which can make it difficult to find the right one for you. You want to get the best 3D renderings at the best cost, while also enjoying a positive relationship with the company providing your rendering services. When selecting a partner for your 3D rendering services, there are a few important factors to consider:
1. Technical Abilities
First and foremost, you want to look for a company that can produce high-quality results. Consider the technical skills of each rendering service you are considering to determine what they can feasibly create for you. A great way to gauge the quality of a service is to browse their technical portfolio to see previous work they have produced.
2. Creativity and Innovativeness
In addition to technical ability, the best 3D rendering services will be those that can keep up with your innovative spirit and offer suggestions that take your project above and beyond. Working with a company that can read your notes and specifications and produce an accurate 3D rendering is essential. However, a company that can also dream up ways to bring your design or presentation to the next level will help you truly stand out in a highly competitive market. A creative 3D rendering service will have innovative ideas for conveying your design dreams to clients so your vision is clearly expressed.
3. Communication and Cooperation
Communication is key to getting the results you hope for from your 3D rendering service. Talk to your potential partner about their revision process and ask how much input you can give during the creation of the virtual image. Different companies may have more open or closed design flows, so find one that works well with your style. At Designblendz, we give clients two opportunities to provide feedback, once during the creation of the 3D rendering and once to make adjustments to the materials. This allows clients to adjust the design before rendering and make smaller tweaks before we finalize the rendering.
4. Cost Effectiveness
When selecting a 3D rendering service, you want to get the best services for the lowest cost. However, be sure you are balancing great results with the right price for your budget, rather than sacrificing quality simply to save a few dollars. Good planning can also help you cut costs on your 3D architectural renderings. Prioritize which properties or projects you would like to create 3D renderings for and determine the ideal number of images for each project. Talk with the company you want to partner with to receive the best rates for your needs.
While there are many great software options for generating your own 3D architectural renderings, working with a service will often lead to better results. When you opt to tackle 3D renderings yourself, you miss out on the expertise and experience of a company that specializes in that work. The right 3D rendering service will offer great insights and work with you to find the best method and presentation for your specific project. A skilled company can be an invaluable resource for producing 3D architectural renderings that improve your sales and boost your revenue.
3D Architectural Rendering Cost
When selecting a partner to work with for your 3D architectural renderings, cost may also be a factor in your decision. The price of 3D renderings will vary depending on the scope of the project. Here are a few factors that influence the cost of a 3D architectural rendering:
1. Labor
The original format of the design influences the amount of labor required to produce a 3D rendering. Converting a 2D design or blueprint into a 3D rendering will take more time and labor. If your original design is already 3D, your rendering can be created more quickly. The number of elements and amount of detail you desire will also influence the labor involved.
2. Rendering Time
Depending on the amount of detail, the number of light sources, and the presence of curved surfaces, the time it takes for a computer to render your image will vary. Longer rendering time will often mean higher costs.
3. Post-Processing Time
After a computer has rendered your design, rendering artists adjust color balances, add effects, and adjust lighting. The amount of post-processing that a 3D rendering requires also impacts its cost.
The best way to reduce the cost of your 3D architectural renderings is to provide very detailed feedback and notes so your rendering artist can create the results you want with very few revisions. By selecting the right services and knowing what you want from your design, you can cut back on costs and make your 3D rendering well worth the investment.
Future of Architectural Design
3D architectural rendering is changing the way architects design. When architects can truly visualize lighting, colors, textures, and proportions through vivid 3D renderings, they can make design decisions more quickly and confidently. 3D renderings allow architects to explore creative options for designs and generate multiple versions of a design more efficiently. Technology is also changing the buyer's experience, as 3D renderings and animations allow potential buyers to tour properties without leaving their homes. Virtual reality (VR) software takes this to the next level since buyers can use VR headsets to step into a space. This deeply immersive technology is likely to be a major player in the future of architectural design as architects can gain real feedback and make sales on properties that are not yet constructed.
As technology advances and the possibilities for electronic design expand, these technologies also become more affordable. Companies that are just getting started will be able to tap into the valuable technology of 3D renderings so their designs can shine among their competitors. 3D architectural renderings are already on their way to becoming an industry standard and are likely to remain a valuable sales and marketing tool for years to come.
Choose The Best Team for Your 3D Renderings
Check out our portfolio to see what we have worked on before and get a better understanding of what we can do for you. Browse our architectural rendering services or contact us today to chat about a project you have in mind. We can't wait to help make your design dreams a reality.