The design process may be divided into various stages, each having its own set of rules, conditions, and limitations, but step by step all could be addressed. One must not forget that each project is unique in scope and service required. In the design process, designing is only one part. A part that can be supplemented by additional services which often are totally worth the expense. Virtual Design work, the ability to walk through a virtual world to see a design, anticipate the changes in three dimensions is not far away. This is now fairly simple and easy to produce with the right software, hardware and skill set. Almost all design projects are developed with the help of software that supports 3 dimensional work or what is often known as modeling. For example, a 3d Model or a virtual model helps one to understand more clearly what is about to take place in a new space with the new configuration of walls, columns or beams. It helps to detect if there are areas that can have conflicts, a clash between a soffit and window, or a rainwater pipe in a living room. Modeling software help identify potential conflict zones. Architects are very concerned about such unwanted intrusions, so such use of virtual design software is essential for a good designer. Architectural firms often are willing to provide these as an additional service. This is not simply getting a rendered view of the area, but more.
Some of these conflicts can be easily addressed by creating a full model, and some of the views can easily identify conflict areas, they are not often presented in the final drawings to the clients. When architects design projects, they think in 3 dimensions, many of the details do not concern the client who is much more interested in the final product. That does not imply that such issues would not be addressed. 3d Models are often for internal office clarity or design study purposes. What a client may want to see is often a particular view, exterior or interior view. Many software can generate such views but it needs special skill to place virtual cameras in location, direct a path, choose materials for finishes, understand lighting conditions etc. All these and many more design conditions need to be added, and rendered before it can be sent to the client. It takes time to build and render a nearly accurate models, often long hours, in addition to the rendering time, and powerful computers. This is often translated to substantial dollar amounts.
For larger Residential and Commercial design projects, often such virtual design work helps translate the architects ideas into the owners wish. Rendered images can be provided for client satisfaction but always an additional cost is involved.
The author, Mohammad Kamal, is the principal of IK Architecture, LLC. He is a registered architect, and has more than 15 years of experience in architecture, construction, planning and design work.
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