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Builders turn to 3D to market virtual houses
The model can be made to look as good as a real photo of the object. PHOTO | LIZ GILBERT
House 12, Magnolia Hills in Kitisuru, Nairobi became a popular property because of the video that made rounds on social media for quite a while sometime last year. The four-minute clip has a detailed view of all the rooms in the house, from the exterior to the finer details in the interior.
Although it was an actual video of how the house looks, it mirrors what most architects are now using to make a near-real impression of a house and how it will look like when complete by using 3 dimension architecture (3D).
Also known as computer generated rendering, 3D has become a popular feature in most real estate companies especially with the increase in the number of properties being sold off-plan by developers.
Computer graphics
3D rendering is the use of a computer graphics process to automatically converting 3D wire frame models into 2D images with 3D photorealistic effects or non-photorealistic rendering on a computer.
Gad Opiyo, an architect and the CEO of Diaspora Design Build says that architectural rendering is the art of creating two dimensional images or animations showing the attributes of the proposed architectural design.
The architectural renderings can be in various forms, from 3D walk-throughs and fly-by animations; virtual tours; still renderings; floor plans; panoramic renderings; photo realistic 3D rendering; real time 3D rendering; renovation rendering(photomontage); light and shadow (sciography) study renderings, among others.
Until 3D computer modelling became common, most architectural renderings were created by hand through pen and water colours which would take weeks to do. But now with the use of 3D modelling software, they can be done in no time.
In photo realistic renderings, the model produced can be made to look as good as a real photo of the object.
Most architects are now using 3D renderings when designing homes and office spaces to give a detailed overview of the project. It is also a good marketing tool during presentations and during design analysis.
After drawing the house plans on paper, the architect then translates the drawings into three-dimension designs in the form of a visual illustration with the help of a 3D designer.
Most clients want to experience the living space of a house before committing to buy, unlike before when all they had to work with was a paper plan.
While an architectural drawing is used to develop design ideas into a coherent proposal as a way of communicating ideas and concepts, these renderings give one a 3D view of the architect’s impression of the house plan from any angle, both interior and exterior.
It also gives a detailed view of the design and fittings in the house, helping present the client with an idea of how the house will look like in reality when it’s complete.
Isaac Jones, the general manager and contractor of Douglas Projects Limited, says most developers are taking up 3D architecture because it easy to work with as it is more detailed when it comes to how the client wants their house to finally look both on the exterior and the interior.
“The three-dimension plans helps one visualise the client’s expectations. I often get clients who come with 3D house plans especially when they want you to actualise the interiors of the project as it is on the 3D visuals,” said Jones.
The three-dimension house plans can add more realistic features that will be incorporated in the construction project such as lightings and other effects.
They also are essential as the client can use the illustrations to help them decide on realistic colours for each room and what treatments to use on different walls.
In today’s architectural designing, 3D illustrations make for an important role in marketing the house plans.
Finished product
Using this medium, real estate agents are able to sell the developer’s idea to prospective clients with ease using the illustrations even when the construction project is ongoing.
Ben Woodhams, managing director of Knight Frank says that 3D plans are more beneficial as they give people more information on a house compared to 2D plans.
“We currently selling two houses in Karen off-plan and the three-dimension visuals make a great marketing tool since buyers can view how the finished product will look through the illustrations provided.”
Although it’s an expensive venture, these 3D impressions may save developers a lot of costs as it gives them the opportunity to change the look of their houses to suit their taste and preference.
“Rendering techniques vary, and these still or virtual images can also then be turned into videos by developers to experiment with building design and its visual aspects,” says Faraaz Charania, marketing and communication manager of Pam Golding Properties.
Charania says a popular technique known as Photo Real rendering uses sophisticated software to approximate accurate lighting and materials and make design-related decisions and changes well before the building is built.
Virtual reality
The 3D drawing has to be precisely what the client wants as it gives all the details of how the entire house will look like. It is then presented to the client and changes are made to the structure to suit the client’s impression and then the construction can begin.
With 3D architecture, you also have a great opportunity to play with your imagination before the final construction starts. 3D rendering and architectural services provides you with an animation effect for your design that helps you to understand your project much better than before.
“This kind of design is becoming popular in the region, and as technology advances, the possibilities are endless with what can be achieved from 3D fly-throughs and panoramas,” says Charania, adding that advances that major tech firms have been working on include combining 3D renders with virtual reality that will allow clients to literally walk through a home or a space before construction.
