Architectural Design Drafting & Rendering – an Overview

Architectural design is at the heart of an efficient, liveable, man-made structure, the brain behind the brawn of building construction. One of the more important segments of architecture is the architectural design drafting process, when architectural drawings and renderings are created, which can later be developed into architectural models also. With expanding populations worldwide and growing housing and commercial requirements, there is an increased need for architectural design drafting and architectural rendering services. We take a broad look at the stages, software, concerns and profitable options.

Architectural design primarily follows a progression of stages, namely the Concept Stage, Schematic Design Stage, Design Development and Permissions Stage and the Construction Documents Stage. Here’s how they proceed:

Concept Stage

1. Parts of the design are assembled
2. Zoning and building codes are reviewed
3. Full code summaries and research design parameters are produced
4. Site research is conducted to decide solar angles and other site conditions
5. Client needs are understood in detail and sketched with proposed dimensions
6. Architects create and submit surveys, sketches, site plans, floor plans and elevations to the client

Schematic Design Stage
1. Decisions are taken on ideas for the location and to fit within budget
2. Several design options are sketched and loose drawings are made, regularly by hand.
3. Once approved, a schematic pricing set, which includes plans, sections, elevations is produced
4. Process is discussed, functions of the building are considered and diagrams are produced
5. Doors and windows are added schematically
6. Materials are discussed

Design Development and Permissions Stage
1. Schematic drawings are developed into permit or planning documents
2. Zone requirements are reviewed
3. Drawings are developed into 3D models
4. Coordination occurs with structural engineers to complete engineering work
5. Floor plans and elevations are assigned dimensions
6. Choices of wood, flooring, windows, locations of cabinets and appliances, assembly details and relevant code information is finalised
7. Trade, supplier and manufacturer recommendations are added to the drawing set and submitted to authorities for permits

Construction Documents
1. Once permits are obtained, documents for construction are finalised
2. MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) plans and foundation plans submitted by structural engineers are added
3. Increased coordination occurs
4. Drawings include extensive detail

A single software platform or a combination of platforms can be utilised for the design stages, namely:

Autodesk’s Revit BIM:

- 3D BIM models can be created from pre-construction concept stages to detailed construction stages

DIALux and Camel within the BIM format can be used for MEP engineering design, namely MEP design, MEP coordination, MEP drafting and MEP modelling.

- Mechanical, electrical, public health and fire protection building services design can be created for concept, schematic, design development, tender and construction stages.

Revit MEP and Navisworks for 3D building services coordination can be used to create:

- Coordinated Revit 3D models, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire services with other disciplines (steel, concrete, false ceilings, etc.)
- Coordinated MEP drawings of plant rooms, building risers, prefabricated corridors and ceiling modules

AutoCAD and AutoCAD MEP can help create:

- MEP CAD drawings, installation drawings and shop drawings

Revit Architecture and ArchiCAD for architectural CAD drafting services help produce:

- CAD design services, including construction drawing sets, CAD drawings
- Architectural CAD drafting, architectural CAD models, architectural photomontage creations and architectural rendering

SketchUp, 3ds Max, VRay, Lumion, Rhino 3D, Maxwell are user-friendly architectural rendering software tools that have a cache of 3D models of furniture, plants, trees, grass, etc.

-Helps develop final photo-realistic image that reflects design concepts and dimensions
- Includes shadows, shading, light sources, white model effect
- Shows depth of field, environment panel, sky setup - (sun, weather, clouds, fog, rainbow, atmosphere)
- Produces special effects, such as background panels, blend images, texture-mapping, bump-mapping, fogging/participating medium, reflection, transparency, opacity, translucency

Along with the appropriate software, certain key requisites vital for efficient architectural design are:

Right Resources

- Sufficient quantity of skilled human resources with recognised expertise using the above software tools, with the right technical qualifications, knowledge and experience
- Dedicated personnel for one project at a time

Expensive Software

- Updated software for all relevant personnel

Training

- Each contributing project member must be extensively trained on possibly different software

Overseas Options

For either part of or the entire design process, the above-mentioned requisites can be sourced overseas, or outsourced. Outsourcing generates technically efficient architectural design at competitive rates. This is due to:
1. A large number of experienced and technically well-qualified teams
2. Budget-friendly overseas firms with 5-10 years’ architectural design and drafting experience
3. Revit BIM platform popularity overseas, leading to sound experience
4. Impressive certification, generally a minimum of ISO9001:2015

Architectural design drives successful project execution, and though several different software platforms can help deliver comprehensive design, other factors also contribute to project success. These factors are significantly impacted by outsourcing. Outsourcing delivers cost-effective, technically sound architectural drawings, models, computer-generated images and construction documents.

Benefits of using Revit Architecture for 3D Renders

Autodesk Revit was introduced well over a decade ago, it is software for architects, designers, MEP engineers, structural engineers and contractors. Over the years, Revit adoption has progressed rapidly in the AEC industry, which in itself has seen revolutionary developments in the same period.

Revit is available in many packages, which includes, Autodesk Revit Architecture and Autodesk Revit MEP, amongst others. Autodesk Revit Architecture provides an array of tools required for projects across a range of architectural sectors, including home building and retail  along with the ability to prepare 3D renders. It is a tool extensively used by companies providing Architectural CAD Services, Architectural Drafting Service and Architectural 3D Rendering Services.

Revit architecture utilises parametric design processes which enable seamless modification of a related environment whenever an element in the adjacent environment is changed, thus maintaining continuity within a single project file. One of the more recent tools of Revit architecture is its ability to generate 3D renders, as 3D renders enable architects, consultants and associated professionals to present their design ideas and  architectural vision through 3D images to clients and associated project stakeholders. The main highlight of architectural rendering using Revit Architecture is its capability to augment visualization and facilitate the creation of 3D views.

Listed below are a few of the features and benefits of using Revit Architecture for 3D renders:

• Precise sun settings in the renders –

 Revit Architecture carries settings to produce accurate colour reproduction such as proper set up of  lighting and materials. Exterior daytime renders are created by using sun setting option, allowing to  create a precise sun angle and position relative to the building. Revit Architecture also accurately  portrays the sunlight for specific locations around the world, by just stating time and date with the  desired location in the settings.

• Accurate production of Resolution -

 Based upon client requirements and the end use of the image, the resolution of rendered images can  be selected. If the rendered image is going to be used for a large presentation board then a high  resolution setting can be selected and for a relatively small image, where the level of detail is less, a  lower resolution setting can be selected.

• Comparatively quicker than the competition -

 The majority of the competitive rendering engines utilise a high amount of CPU memory and also  require advanced GPU’s, which ultimately results in a lot of time consumption to produce high  quality renders. Revit Architecture is fine tuned to utilise less CPU memory and in most cases does  not require a GPU to handle complex scenes and lightings, improving the overall efficiency and  creating high resolution renders in significantly less time.

• Higher reliability ratio -

 Due to advanced settings that provide the best performance under varied settings,  Revit Architecture  creates renders with high resolution in much less time, where similar rendering engines fail to create  renders of lower resolution. Hence, along with providing an optimum output, Revit Architecture is a  highly reliable tool to create high quality 3D renders.

• Variety of tool options -

 Revit Architecture comes  with a variety of tool options, such as a visualisation related ‘election  tool’  in the ‘View’ panel on the ‘Modify’ tab. There are many more similar tools available on Revit  Architecture which can be useful for various tasks other than creating renders.

Revit Architecture is becoming one of the more versatile tools for overall design modeling and documentation.  The ability to generate 3D renders using an array of options has broadened the appeal and use of the tool for architects and designers.There are a variety of additional benefits of using Revit Architecture for 3D Renders other than the few listed above, which are updated in every new iteration of the software, making it a sought after tool for designers around the world..

Residential Architectural Renderings: How they Benefit Distinct Stakeholders?

In the realm of homebuilding construction, though residential architectural renderings are predominantly used to pre-sell housing projects during the post-design phase, there are other key facets to it that are often overlooked. The residential project stakeholders use different forms of architectural visualisation to serve distinct needs. On the one hand, homebuilders may use low-detail birds-eye rendered views and other perspectives to study how the essential components of a project relate to its context. Alternatively, building companies may partner with AEC visualisation firms providing photorealistic architectural 3D rendering services to create high-detail fly-through animations of the project’s exteriors and interiors complete with surroundings, furniture, wall textures, natural/artificial lights and fixtures.

Right from concept planning and designing to the post-design and pre-construction phases, 3D rendered walkthroughs and stills in the residential construction domain provide value to the three distinct participants (potential residents, contractors, and homebuilders) involved.

Offers Clarity to Potential Users

Architectural 3D renderings clearly benefit end users as well as potential buyers in a number of ways. Firstly, they gain in-depth clarity about the project which is not always possible with 2D CAD floor plans and section drawings. Secondly, they can readily assess the pros and cons of alternative design options using detailed virtual walkthroughs even before any actual construction work kicks off on-site. Lastly and more importantly, residential architectural renderings (both interiors and exteriors) help the end users conveniently identify and estimate the cost implications of each of the design choices. As a result, detailed 3D scenes allow potential users to study how distinct components relate to their respective contexts whilst avoiding unpleasant and costly changes during construction.

Serves as Design Validation Tool for Contractors

Residential architectural renderings help contractors validate design before actual construction begins. The 3D photorealistic scenes, including both stills and videos, offers a real insight to the contracting team on the spatial coordination of distinct architectural elements. Whilst floor plans, section drawings, services drawings, and construction documents are essential, detailed 3D visualization ensure the homebuilder, the contractor and the end user are all on the level playing field as far as understanding the form, function, and scope of the residential project. In addition to this, 3D rendered assets can expedite the local regulatory approval process.

Helps Homebuilders Convey and Promote Detailed Concept 

The most important gap that architectural renderings can fill is that they allow homebuilders to convey accurate, precise, and detailed design intent to the end users. Serving as a key tool to promote, exhibit, and market their design concepts, 3D renders can add life to otherwise technical floor plans and monochrome perspective views by adding important facets that include textures, finishes, interiors, landscaping, and contextual and a humanistic environment. Accordingly, homebuilders can communicate and market their project details in a life-like photorealistic manner whilst the end users can navigate through finer nuances and request changes or clarifications before on-site construction commences.

For more information about our residential architectural 3D rendering services, kindly contact us

Why Residential Architectural Rendering is Paramount for Homebuilders?

With the homebuilding industry becoming fiercely competitive in developed markets, the expectations from both the demand side (potential owners) as well as the investor side (financial institutions) have significantly changed. As return on investment is crucial for both the owners and the funding institutions, homebuilders walk on a tightrope. In addition to this, homebuilding companies are required to procure permits and approvals from construction and local planning authorities. In such a scenario, residential architectural 3D renderings are a boon to homebuilders in addition to adding value to the potential owners and investors.

Following are the multifaceted benefits that rendered 3D stills and walkthroughs offer homebuilders during the different stages of a residential construction project:

1.  Pre-Construction Planning

In the homebuilding industry, the pre-construction planning stage requires evaluating attractive markets, identifying sites, and securing investment from potential investors and funding institutions. As a result, both conceptual and detailed architectural 3D renderings can help homebuilders communicate the viability of the project to investors. This also gives potential investors a thorough insight into the project and a greater decision-making ability.

2.  Design Stage

Known as the most critical phase, the design stage starts with concept ideation and ends with construction documentation submittals to seek necessary approvals and permits from local planning authorities and regulatory bodies. Homebuilder’s major responsibilities include preparing conceptual sketches, developing detailed floor plans, sections, elevations, perspective images, and construction drawing sets. In addition to mandatory construction documentation, detailed 3D renderings complete with lighting, materials, landscaping, environment, interiors, and furniture can empower residential builders to communicate complex concepts to planning authorities and expedite the approval process. Moreover, the potential clients get a life-like visualisation before construction begins.

3.  Construction Stage

At this stage, the finalised design is handed over to the contractor to initiate the build process. A detailed rendering at this stage helps homebuilders and potential clients administer the construction and check whether the build is in line with the proposed design. Furthermore, residential architectural 3D renderings help discover design inconsistencies and resolve them. These renderings, in combination with construction documents, act as a yardstick in the hands of homebuilders and clients to assess and review the project’s progress. 

4.  Post-Construction Stage

Once the construction phase is complete, customised interior and exterior renderings can help homebuilders pre-sell their property to clients. Detailed renderings and walkthroughs present potential stakeholders with an all-round visualisation to speed up their decision-making whilst reducing the time-to-market for homebuilders. Compared to 2D floor plans and drawings, photorealistic renderings provide clients with the holistic details needed to choose a property that accurately fits their requirements. 

To summarise, 3D architectural rendering for residential projects can add value to homebuilders during different phases. It can help them instil confidence in funding partners and investors; expedite their approval seeking process from local planning authorities; assess and review project’s progress vis-à-vis proposed design; and act as a perfect marketing tool to convince potential owners.

For more information about our architectural 3D rendering services, kindly contact us.