Architectural 3D Rendering; Realistic Vs Stylized

Nov 15, 2017 -- ‘Realistic’ and ‘Artistic’ approaches in 3D visualization, also known ‘Photorealistic’ and ‘Non-photorealistic’ 3D rendering techniques, are the driving force for architectural designs and marketing. Most of the architects are not holding themselves back from utilizing at least one of them to its fullest to get ahead of the competition in the AEC industry. Adoption of the latter is justified by many as the need to adapt to changes, devices, and new ways; to not only survive but also thrive in the building design, construction.

Now the question is that when photorealistic 3D rendering, the computer-generated rendering/image made to look as real as possible from the lighting, textures, shading etc.; how are they ruining today’s architectural designs?

To win the rat race, architectural rendering techniques have it seems wandered out from the portfolio of modern architecture. Instead, they have been replaced by stylized representations, designs blown out of proportion from all aspects, to leave the rest of the world imagining as to what the building structure would actually look like.

Realistic Architectural 3D Renderings

Every single 3D visualization stands on two legs, 3D modelers and renderers. Rendering which starts as a 3D model is then represented by a series of flat geometric shapes interconnected in three dimensional spaces known as polygons. These rudimentary geometries which are the backbone of such 3D models, can and are manipulated and created with help of computer software such as Photoshop, V-Ray, Rhinoceros 3D, Google SketchUp, or 3D Studio Max.

Supermarket – 3D Exterior View Restaurant – 3D Interior View

Non-photorealistic Renderings

Stylized Architectural Renderings aka artistic 3D visualization; is where artists/designers leverage their creative freedom to come up with ideas as to how certain building designs should look. They put at task various creative styles which make their designs look like a drawing or painting for digital art. The main purpose of this activity is to impress and at the same time create a stylized environment wherein collaboration and appreciation can occur.

Architects may put across hundreds of reasons to justify the usage of Stylized Architectural Rendering, saying they are beautiful, it portrays proposed buildings in the best light and helps them sell contemporary designs easily. It is the new wave of evolved design concepts and what not. There may be that element of truth in what they say when it comes to contemporary designs and evolved design concepts, however; the truth remains that stylized architectural rendering is a problem, and EPC firms, buyers and even architects should pay immediate attention to it. Enlisted are some of the worst architectural renderings, also available for hate browsing, last year:

Design for the Guggenheim Museum in Helsinki. (Moreau Kusunoki Architectes)

Though the project worked out fine, in the end, the designs depicted a strong single metaphor; the lighthouse. Anyways, the overall design worked out well in context, but that one point which everyone misses out on mentioning is that it succeeded due to appropriate, accurate and adequate concept drawings and renderings.

Difference between stylized renderings & end product

Impossibly imagined structures winning major building design competitions at trade fairs and all over places, is not that big a danger. The real challenge starts when structures are actually built and if that also succeeds, the challenges that inhabitants may face. There are examples of building construction projects running three times over the originally planned budgets.

Stylized Architectural Renderings played its part in setting unrealistic expectations, further pushing architectural styles to even more grandiose and unrealistic places, and lead to disillusionment with cost overruns and delays. So these were the deeper dangers of unrealistic digital rendering.

Non-photorealistic rendering can be advantageous, too

Effective communication of inner components of an object or building is where it becomes advantageous to use artistic 3D visualization. Exploded view drawing is one of its aspects that help it come out with flying colors from its realistic competitors. Inner components of a complex building with its electrical plumbing diagrams; is where illustrating them effectively can fail miserably with photorealistic approach alone.

Exploded view drawings, facilitates separating complex systems at a uniform distance, in a building, empowering clients to view and understand the correlation and the assembly order in which those parts and components are and can be arranged for further viewing. Remodeling of projects is an added advantage of non-photorealistic 3D rendering, as it anticipates the final look of projects instead of copying it.

Subject matter is really subjective

The advantages and disadvantages of choosing are numerous. This was an effort to narrow down them to more important and considerable ones so as to impart more information and consume less time. Between 3D renderings; Realistic & Stylized, have various advantages and disadvantages depending on the circumstances.

One of the best ways that several architects have taken up, and if not they might take it up after reading this article, is to communicate with the client. This will help in knowing more and more about their tendencies, preferences, and expectations. What good is an approach, either of the two, if it undermines the collaboration aspect between designers and clients in any building construction project? End of day – it is the clients who have the final say, as they fund the projects.

Combining both, Realistic & Stylized Architectural 3D renderings, is the solution

How about combining both, Realistic & Stylized Architectural 3D renderings, as and when required. The reason to think so is that if there is an idea out there, what is worn in acknowledging and using it where it incepted from.

This approach of mix and match was a success then and will succeed now as well. It’s just that it requires an open mind to adapt changes along the way. Those who don’t adapt and adopt – will surely be left behind. Please feel free to counter the views and suggestion, for everyone to gain insights from this discussion.