Architectural Design in 3D

Using 3D design early in the process can help owners understand how a building may be situated on the site prior to construction.

As many of us already know, Architects play a crucial role in designing the homes and buildings that surround us. A large part of that role is making sure that these buildings are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and safe for those inhabiting or experiencing a building. With the advent of 3D modeling technologies in the early 2000’s such as Autodesk’s Revit a BIM software (building information modeling), or more clay-like modeling software (think SketchUp), aArchitects have had access to advanced 3D modeling software that allows them to create detailed and realistic representations of their designs.

As a client you no longer have to be able to interpret abstractly your new building in the two dimensions of pen and paper to experience it before it is built. Designing in 3D instead of 2D has numerous advantages. Firstly, it allow your Architect to visualize their design more accurately, which makes it easier to detect potential flaws and make necessary modifications before the construction process begins. This, in turn, can save time and money, as it reduces the likelihood of costly mistakes during construction. This is where Building Information Modeling (or BIM for short) comes in handy. With this technology your Architect is truly designing your building and incorporating every material used to construct it into a 3D digital model of the real thing, a “digital twin” as some may call it.

Designing in 3D can also show a client how it may feel to experience a space. Here we are detailing a custom home’s garages and what the experience of entering into the home from that location could be like.

Secondly, 3D modeling enables Architects to create more detailed and precise drawings for use in constructing your new building. This level of detail is particularly important when it comes to communicating the design to clients, contractors, and other stakeholders in the process. 3D models provide a more realistic representation of the final product, which can help clients and consultants to better understand the design and make more informed decisions.

Furthermore, 3D modeling software allows Architects to experiment with different design options and make changes quickly and easily. This experimentation while quicker now than it ever was before still takes quite a bit of time, but may yield much better results in helping clients to understand their Architect’s design intent. This flexibility can be particularly useful when working with clients who have specific needs or preferences. By incorporating 3D modeling or BIM technology into the design process, Architects can quickly generate multiple design options and present them to the client for feedback and approval.

Finally, designing in 3D can also improve the overall quality of the design. By creating a more accurate and detailed representation of the building or home, Architects can identify potential problems and make necessary changes before construction begins. This can result in a more functional, safer, and aesthetically pleasing end product. Examples of this may be the ease at which an Architect can now scale or present alternate details for a home owner’s approval. This can be a simple as a study of which window casing styles work best with the home’s aesthetics, or how millwork options will present themselves once installed.

In summary, designing in 3D instead of 2D is important for Architects because it allows them to create more accurate and detailed representations of their designs, it helps us to communicate more effectively with our clients and consultants, experiment with different design options, and improve the overall quality of the design. As such, it is an essential tool for any modern Architect looking to create innovative and functional designs.

If you’re interested in working with us on your project, or would like to learn more about how we incorporate 3D modeling software and BIM into our process head over to our contact page to fill out a form or click the link below to learn more. We’re always looking to help bring dreams to life!