HGTV, Houzz, Google, and other search engines have enhanced the design sophistication of all people willing to improve their home, create a new building or development project, or improve their built environment they work or live in. Visualization tools are drastically changing the design techniques used by architects. Three-dimensional modeling has allowed people to visualize their project on a computer screen, augmented reality has allowed people to visualize their project through a cell phone or Ipad at the project site, and now virtual reality allows placement of the building owner inside their new space before construction. Expectations have changed as well, no longer do two-dimensional designs cut it. Three-dimensional modeling has improved architecture throughout the world.
Since the start of my career, I have been using three dimensional design tools to simulate buildings and their landscapes during design and before construction has begun. I have used this experience to create the interactive design approach I use at [design] [build] by architects. The interactive design approach enables the client to become the designer while using the architect as their primary design tool. As the architect, I allow the client/designer to make real time revisions to the the three-dimensional model which allows the client to visualize the project with several options. This approach allows the client to experiment with what he/she may like or dislike as their ideas evolve. The drawing process has changed as well, as a result of the evolution of three-dimensional technology, I am able to provide three-dimensional animations of the project throughout the development of construction documents. Also the ability to visualize the project before construction begins greatly reduces the risk of spending irretrievable construction dollars.
A picture is worth a thousand words. Often times a person willing to build or improve their building has a vision that needs to be brought to fruition. The three-dimensional design created by the collaboration of the architect and the client becomes the selling device for the client to best explain his/her idea to potential investors, city officials, or other project team members. The interactive design approach provides the means for the vision to become alive!