AIMIR has been using CR since 2018 and has been one of our most reliable rendering software. Hundreds of projects have been created, including award-winning ones. Please enjoy parts of the case studies:
Founded in 2006, AIMIR has been learning and growing in the architectural visualization industry, during which a complete and thorough service system was built in the early days. We had introduced our service system in a blog back in 2016, but we decided to give a more comprehensive introduction today.
This blog consists of four sections, following the production order chronologically. It started with AIMIR’s key features. Then we’ll focus on our service before/during/after the production. Finally, we summarized some other client care solutions.
Now, let’s start off the journey!
Key Features: What makes us Different?
What makes AIMIR different from other architectural visualization firms? Our remote 24/7 service? 7,000+ projects we’ve been completed? Long-term partnership with fabulous architects around the world? No. We’ve been extreme clear on this question since AIMIR was established:
Our Professional Consulting Service.
On top of general excellent 3D visualization services which we’re very proud of, we provide deep, constructive, and comprehensive advice during the production. We have an eye for our clients’ most critical issues and opportunities that may bring the projects to a higher level. Our friendly team members are here 24/7 to provide efficient and flexible solution for your project.
Meanwhile, there are other key features that have been supporting our services including:
Crosscheck System: Comprehensive internal-check system for various scenarios including but not limited to quality control system, 3D artists crosscheck system; repeated comments checking system, checklists for preparation, etc. More information will be given in the “During Production” part.
Summary & Survey System: We care about what our clients think. After each project, we will send out our summary for this unique project and a survey, so the clients’ feedback will in turn help improve our service in the future.
AIMIR has a clear workflow to provide service from the moment our clients reach us to the second the production starts. It is easily divided into two period: proposal and preparation.
Proposal
Our email address info@aimircg.com is not the only way to reach us. AIMIR is on various platforms to ensure that clients can reach us easily. We are easily found on various social network website, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Behance, and Twitter.
We guarantee the tailored proposal will be sent with 24 hours after our first contact. Our service flow as shown below:
For pricing, we have a comprehensive pricing system to support fair and transparent pricing. In addition, we have Long-term Partnership Agreement to help maintain a healthy cooperation while guarantee our partners’ benefit.
Preparation
Once the proposal is accepted, a formal contract will be signed and an invoice of the deposit will be sent. A kick-off meeting will be held at our end between:
Project Manager;
Production Director;
Production Team, which is 3D artists involved.
We will stick to the “one team to one client” principle, with a whole team as strong backup at the same time.
During Production
Production is a vital part because the products are made during this time. AIMIR knows this probably is the most concerned process for the clients, thus, various tools are introduced to guarantee the production. Under the help of our mature workflow, your 1 to 1 project manager and project 3D artist team will work at full capacity to guarantee the quality and final delivery.
This is the workflow of production:
During each round, we do:
During the past 16 years, AIMIR has posted more than 500 blogs about architectural visualization. Among those, we recommend some professional articles if you’re looking for 3D rendering services or have confronted with any difficulties. Here is part of them:
It is not finished. We know the importance of after-production support. So, AIMIR is proud to introduce our after-production care.
Works
We understand the changeable nature of design industry, so we offer free modification service after the project is delivered. However, not all modifications are free.
We’d like to serve our clients in the most comfortable way. Therefore, if you have any concerns after the final delivery, please feel free to voice, we’re always here to help.
Service
AIMIR cares about feedback. In order to constantly improve our service, we built the Summary & Survey System.
Summary & Survey System: After each project, we will send out the summary of this project and a survey. Until 30th June 2021, we’ve received tons of positive feedback on our works and service, and our client satisfaction rate is over 98%. At the same time, advice is a great help in improving ourselves, which in turn, are able to provide professional services.
Other Client Care Solutions
Long-term Partnership Agreement: To provide timely and accurate standard service, AIMIR has LPA for regular clients based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit. This agreement helps maintain healthy partnership and brings benefit for the clients.
Sustainability Development: AIMIR care about the planet. We are a paper-free office. During the Covid-19, we telework with our clients and our team.
On-site Support: AIMIR offers on-site support. Our client can choose to work remotely with AIMIR or show up on site to get a closer look at the production process of AIMIR’s team.
Various Content Support: We keep sharing our works and updating industrial trends with audience, and are active on social network platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Behance, and Twitter. Meanwhile, our monthly newsletter has gained 10,000 subscribers in 2021.
At AIMIR, we create the best CGI works and deliver services that satisfy our clients’ needs, wants, or aspirations. With the help of our advanced and thorough Service System, AIMIR has been standing out in Architectural Visualization since 2006, and will keep delivering sought-after 3D works to excellent architects and designers worldwide.
If you’re interested in our service system, or have upcoming project to talk about, you’re more than welcome to contact us!
On 26th October, 2021, at Beverly Hilton Hotel, the designer Saee Studio has been announced as the Innovation & Technology in the Built Environment winner of LABC’s 51st Annual Architectural Awards, for the Sphere on Sunset Project.
*The Architectural Awards held by Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) is an annual celebration of projects that embrace innovative design standards to enhance the way people live in Los Angeles.
For more information, please go to LABC’s website HERE.
As the 3D visualizer partner, AIMIR is so proud to create all 3D renderings for the Sphere on Sunset Project which demonstrate this amazing project in all details. Please follow us to learn more about this award-winning project in Los Angeles.
A Giant Glass Sphere on 8410 Sunset Blvd
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.”
—— Albert Einstein
Michele, the designer of Sphere on Sunset, said the original concept of the design is from billboards. As visible media, billboards have changed how we interact and communicate, and altered societal behavioral and perceptual abilities.
He wanted to create a medium, which provides a platform for people to occupy and interact with. It will provide an energetic platform for public, private, and civic functions, creating a center for LA’s collective life. People, is the core of the design.
Michele’s design process and sketches.
This dynamic site is surrounded by three multistory hotels that hinder its visibility from the east and create a substantial impact from the west. To respond to these restraints, Michele assumed a proactive position towards the architectural design – a floating sphere.
He also made a physical model to understand the unity and interconnectedness of the project.
Apparently, a physical model is not enough. 3D architectural visualization is the best choice to showcase the unbuilt ideas. After doing some research online, Michele decided to work with AIMIR.
At AIMIR, we were attracted by the design as soon as we saw it. During the kick-off meeting, we understood Michele pays great attention to the relationship between the sphere and the buildings around.
He took loads of site photos and shared with us. We carefully built the models for surrounding hotels, and sent him a draft.
We built the rough model (left) based on the site photo (right).
Despite it is just a rough draft, Michele expressed his worry more than once about whether the model would showcase the real site around. So, as an architectural visualization consultant, we recommended Michele to use photo-composition to demonstrate the surroundings 100% precisely and accurately.
For the best result, we directly recommended him to hire a professional photographer instead of taking photos by himself. This is because professional photos normally meet the critical needs once the requirements (camera angle, mood, what content to include, etc.) are given. He took the suggestion right away. Two days later, we’ve received these incredible, high-quality, carefully-composed site photos with the ideal camera angles and moods that AIMIR suggested.
The initial design is to create a space in LA that will spark visual interest and fuse public involvement. So, there won’t be one image without people and activities. People become the deciding factor to the mood of the 3D renderings.
Michele provided the general atmosphere he wanted for the project: to show LA’s diversity including but not limited to culture, race, age, and activities. And he hoped all people were attracted by this building and interact with various activities.
Suggested people samples.
After a bit struggling, our 3D artists added people in all 3D renderings. The following is a sample of how to use people to tell your story.
Visitors on the ramp inside the sphere; live TV program; a speech near the fountain.
A Public Space has the Potential for Advertisement
Michele designed two large LED signs on the front surface of the sphere. They will not only add a lot of visual flamboyance to this site, but also able to carry advertising. He asked whether we could make an advertising version of each image by changing the pictures on signs. Our 3D artists were happy to provide this service for free. It is one of the advantages of 3D rendering: change the design anytime in the image rather than on site.
3D rendering final (left) vs. advertisement (right)
We changed the pictures of the two large LED signs on the sphere and two vertical signs on each side of the sphere.
Change of Design
A couple of days after the final delivery, Michele sent us a new model, saying the design needed to be revised in order to dealing with Los Angeles City Council’s requirements. Thus, a new round of 3D renderings was needed in a short time period.
This time, the signature indoor ramp is replaced by three levels and a glass elevator in the center. The garden on ground level is canceled. Instead, a glass floor will be under the sphere with a fountain in the middle. What’s more, a small moving spherical element on the east side of the sphere will show the date, time and weather.
Former model (left) vs. modified model (right)
Because Michele mentioned time was critical, our 3D artists checked the model and started production straight away.
Former ramp design (left) vs. modified level & elevator design (right)
A bar is added. This is a view from the back of the sphere.
In total, AIMIR has created 10 images (former design*2 + new design*8) for the Sphere on Sunset Project using Corona Renderer. We’ve shared AIMIR’s story with Corona Renderer before, and it is still one of the best rendering software AIMIR’s been using to provide our clients the most realistic experience. Below, you can see the night view of the sphere:
And below are four view angles of the sphere under daytime mood:
This view below unveils the gorgeous bar at the back of the sphere:
And these two images are comparison of former (left) and new (right) design of the interior view:
At last, two former design views in the day:
These CG visuals helped Michele to showcase this futuristic design full of technology and innovation. It would not be just another place to have one of the best views of Los Angeles city. With 3D rendering, the architect could prove that this place would be the new landmark of Los Angeles.
We are so honored to have been a part of this beautiful project. Now, we hope to pay a visit to Sphere one day when it’s built, and enjoy it from the view in the 3D works we’ve created for it. After a couple of months, Michele brought up another fabulous project in Costa Rica, which we’ll soon talk about in future blogs.
Need to bring your projects to life before your clients’ and audience’s eyes? Contact AIMIR for 3D visualization services. We’ll get back to you in 24 hours with the best CG solutions for your project!
Shekou Fishing Port, a national first-class fishing port, is a historical witness and epitome of the urban development in Shenzhen. It experienced several changes and bears memory of many Shenzhen people. Along with the construction of the Free Trade Zone, the implementation of the Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the completion of the Shenzhen Bay Coastal Leisure Zone, Shekou has taken on a new look. This area, marked by the reform and opening up, has a new historical position, and the old fishing port also awaits a new historical turning point.
To continue the special context of Shekou Fishing Port and increase the diversity and experience level of the urban cultural spaces, it is planned to solicit excellent design proposals through international competition to upgrade the fishing port as a whole, making it an attractive business card of cultural development in Shenzhen.
2.Work Content
The design contents of the Competition include urban design research, architectural design (fishing port supporting buildings, sea-crossing pedestrian bridge, Fishery Culture Park), and landscape design.
The design scope is shown in the figure. The design contents include fishing port supporting buildings, sea-crossing pedestrian bridge, Fishery Culture Park (Museum), and waterfront landscape.
Fig. Design Scope
3.Registration Requirements
3.1. Open registration is adopted worldwide. Consortium bidders (both domestic and abroad) are acceptable. Individuals and teams of individuals are not acceptable.
3.2. The design firm shall provide the corporate registration certificate, design license certificate or relevant documents of the same effect. Design firms headed by the same individual or whose shares are directly held by the same individual/have a direct holding relation are not allowed to register for the Competition at the same time.
3.3. In view of the complex functions of the Project, the design firm (consortium) shall include professionals and consultants in architecture, landscape, fishing port/fishery engineering, bridge, etc., with a chief designer. The professionals and consultants shall have relevant working experience and reference projects. For consortia, if applicable, the corresponding relationship of consortium members and the chief designer with the architectural and landscape design should be specified in the design contents.
3.4. Members of consortia should meet the following requirements:
Members of a consortium are not allowed to register twice for the Competition by their own name or via another consortium in the name of another firm.
The members should sign a legally effective Consortium Agreement, and specify the division of work between the members at this phase, the proportion and way of distribution of the design fee, etc.
3.5. The chief designer directing the project and specialty consultants shall attend the milestone presentation meetings. Should the chief designer present during the Competition be inconsistent with the one specified in the Application Documents, the Hosts have the right to disqualify the team from the shortlist and competition.
4.Work Rules
The Competition is open to all design firms worldwide. Design teams will be required to submit corresponding registration documents and design proposals pursuant to the Work Rules and the Design Brief. Eight design teams (consortia) and two alternative design teams (consortia) will be selected through a Selection Panel to participate in the subsequent concept design.
Note: The above timetable adopts Beijing time and is subject to adjustment by the Hosts.
5.Prizes
Finalist (the 1st , 2nd and 3rd place): RMB 1,200,000 each(including tax) (about US$187,800)
The Hosts will determine the winning design proposal from the top three finalists based on evaluation comments of the experts, and award the winner the contract for concept design and preliminary architectural design (specific work scope and contents subject to the final design contract), and the competition prize will be deducted from the design contract fee.
6.Prizes
In accordance with design fee calculation specified in Standards for Charges on Engineering Survey and Design (Ver.2002), the engineering complexity adjustment factor is complex (Ⅲ) 1.15, the design fee fluctuation range value is 20%, the concept design and preliminary architectural design fee is tentatively set at RMB 8,260,000 (about US$1,292,850), accounting for about 30% of the total design fee. Total amount of the design fee is subject to adjustment based on the approved budgetary estimate.
The announcement is published on AIMIR’s website now. If you want to know more following details regarding to this competition, please feel free to contact AIMIR. What’s more, you’re more than welcome to touch base with us if you need architectural visualization.
GTSI is a joint institute between Tianjin University and Georgia Institute of Technology (hereinafter referred to as “Georgia Tech”). It introduces the excellent educational practices and resources of Georgia Tech, and gives full play to the outstanding advantages of Tianjin University as a leading engineering education institution in China.
Formerly named Peiyang University, Tianjin University was founded in 1895. It is the first modern university in China, creating a precedent for higher education in modern China. The university adheres to the development concept of “strengthening engineering, focusing on sciences, revitalizing arts and medicine”, forming a comprehensive discipline layout in which engineering is the main priority, sciences are combined with the arts, and multiple disciplines coordinate with each other, including economics, management, culture, law, medicine, education, art, and philosophy. At present, the university has become a high-level research university with strong faculty, distinct disciplines, first-class education quality and scientific research level and international influence.
The founding of Georgia Tech in 1885 signaled the beginning of the transformation of the agrarian South to an industrial economy. Georgia Tech is renowned for its rigorous academic style. It is well-known throughout the United States for its focus on advanced technologies and scientific research; its mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. Guided by its motto “Progress and Service”, Georgia Tech is now a highly ranked university in the world leading in engineering and technology fields.
Established in Shenzhen, GTSI aspires to become a world-class educational institution and serve as a bridge between the peoples of China and the United States. It will develop innovative approaches to engineering education, striving to become a model for “New Engineering” education in China. GTSI will prepare its students to use innovative skills and strong work ethic to solve real-world problems and improve the lives of people around the globe.
2.Project Overview
The project is located in the Baishiling area of Xili Lake International Science and Education City, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
Xili Lake International Science and Education City is a key node of the “GuangzhouShenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao” innovation and technology corridor, including important innovation platforms such as the University Town of Shenzhen, Liuxiandong Headquarters Base, Nanshan I Park, Nanshan I City, and the Maker Town at the University Town. It plays an important part in the establishment of a comprehensive science center in Shenzhen. At present, 7 universities have been built in this area, accounting for nearly half of the higher educational resources in the city. Meanwhile, it has attracted a large number of enterprise headquarters and start-ups, forming a favorable eco-system for businesses. This area has a focus on high-tech industries, and integrates manufacturing with education and research, forming a complete innovation chain.
Fig. 1 Location Map of the Project
Fig. 2 Schematic Traffic at the Project Location
Fig. 3 Surrounding Traffic Situation & Planning
3.Work Content
The total scale of Shenzhen University is 3,000, and the ratio of full-time undergraduates to postgraduates is 1:1. The construction area of the campus is 16.21 hectares, and the total construction area is about 190,000 square meters.
The construction content includes: classrooms, teaching laboratories, office buildings, libraries, student activity centers, student dormitories, teacher dormitories, canteens, stadiums and sports facilities, scientific research centers and key laboratories, and a demonstration center for waste sorting and intensive disposal and utilization , International Conference Center, logistic ancillary rooms, underground garages and equipment rooms.
The campus construction advocates the use of low-carbon, green, and sustainable planning concepts and design methods, through energy conservation and emission reduction, renewable energy utilization, and ecological carbon sequestration, to create a demonstrative near-zero carbon campus and help achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.
The design content of this project is the whole process design. The design of the building must strictly meet the requirements of the relevant national and Shenzhen current regulations or regulations.
4.Registration Requirements
4.1.Applicants must be domestic or overseas entities with legal business registration.
4.2.Applicants must be class-A qualification/certificate in Chinese architecture design and construction industry (Construction Engineering).
4.3.Application as a joint group is allowed in this tender project. Individuals or teams of individuals are unaccepted. Requirements for joint groups are as below:
4.3.1.Lead Member of the consortium shall have Class A qualification or above in the construction industry (Construction engineering).
4.3.2.Members of a joint group should not re-apply for the bid independently nor should they form another joint group with other design institutes for registration in any way.
4.3.3.A Joint Group Agreement with legal effect is required to clarify the leading member, equity share, proposed working responsibilities, division of work and so on.
5.WORK RULES
The project adopts the method of “open bidding”, which is divided into pre-qualification, design competition and final evaluation stages.
5.1.Prequalification Stage
In the pre-qualification phase of this project, the concept proposal will be reviewed in the form of hidden bids, and the credit documents will be reviewed in the form of open bids. Finally, 7 shortlisted units and 2 ranked candidates will be determined based on the review results of the concept proposal and the review of credit documents.
5.2.Bid Determination Stage
The bidder submits the result documents that meet the requirements of the design assignment, and the tenderer will set up a bid evaluation committee, which will be evaluated by registered voting, and 3 unranked winning bid candidates will be recommended.
5.3.Final Evaluation Stage
The tenderee sets up a bid determination committee in accordance with laws and regulations, and determine 1 winning bidder from the shortlisted candidates recommended by the scheme review committee.
6.Tender Schedule
7.Prizes
The tender controlling price is tentatively set at RMB 36.74million Yuan (about US$5,757,000).
The announcement is published on AIMIR’s website now. If you want to know more following details regarding to this competition, please feel free to contact AIMIR. What’s more, you’re more than welcome to touch base with us if you need architectural visualization.
Fig. 1 Location Map of the Project
Fig. 2 Schematic Traffic at the Project Location
Fig. 3 Surrounding Traffic Situation & Planning