3D Architectural Rendering for an Oceanfront Hotel in La Ribera, Mexico: Case Study
Architecture is an art that brings together the vision and skill of an architect, transforming it into a beautiful and functional structure for people to use. And 3D architectural rendering is the inevitable process. In this case study, we’ll explore the process of 3D rendering in the creation and presentation of a hotel on the beach.
Located on the beach in La Ribera, Mexico, Alila Villas is a new getaway destination with a restaurant, hotel suites, decks and pool, a gym, a spa, and a glamping pool. Gregory from Markzeff commissioned us for the exterior 3D visualization of this stunning oceanfront hotel. Their team needed the real estate 3D renders to get the vision approved by their client.
This case study will guide you through the 3D rendering process of Alila Villas and show the realistic outcome of this project.
3D Architectural Rendering Process for a Hotel
#Stage 1: Briefing and the Scope of Work
Gregory was planning to commission 5 exterior views in total. Their team provided us with a comprehensive brief which included:
- A SketchUp model;
- Screenshots and site plan directions showing the camera angles required. There are five of them;
- Site plan, elevations, floor plans. Various design details to help our CG team understand the site and vision better;
- Material board, landscape plan, and vegetation plan, especially for the organic garden, agave garden and tequila garden.
With such a vase collection of sources to draw from, our 3D team immediately started the 3D rendering process. Read on to see how we created the stunning 3D renderings for real estate developers.
#Stage 2. 3D Modeling
The next thing we did was to create 3D models of this project. Although the architect had sent a SketchUp model, he also mentioned the model was not updated and we needed to pay attention to the CAD plans. That is to say, the SketchUp model was just for reference, our 3D modeler needed to create the final model based on the CAD plans to get the correct information.
After studying the CADs, our 3D modeler created the 3D model and screenshot the views to share with Gregory for approval.
Their team came back with the comments promptly. We have to admit they’re expert in commenting. By the way, we’ve summarized 5 Ways to Give Comments on an Architectural Rendering Draft. Hope it helps if you’re struggling with mark-ups.
#Stage 3: Colored Drafts (Materials, Textures, Lighting, and Post-production)
Having the model drafts approved, our 3D specialists proceeded with materials, textures, lighting, and people. Based on the geography information of this hotel, we made this place a desert but not barren, welcoming and relaxing oasis. The first round colored drafts are as below:
The architect team replied back with their notes quickly. In the comments, they wanted to:
- Scale the trees in front of the hotel suites down by 15%;
- Add mountain view in the hotel suites scene;
- Reduce the color of the pool by 15%, make the concrete wall not prounounced;
- Bring the sea horizon line up slightly;
- Use calming shoreline instead of waves.
In particular, the architect paid great attention to the landscape. They emphasized on the importance of the landscape design in the 3D views, especially the plants, pools, routes, and gardens. As we all know, good landscape design can enhance the natural beauty of a location, provide a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, and even improve the ecological balance of the environment. And this certainly cannot be overlooked in visual presentation.
Thanks to these explicit comments, our CG team developed a deeper understanding of the site, especially the surrounding environment. Following that, our 3D artists updated these corrections. This time, Gregory approved all of them and the views were ready to be rendered in 5K and 6K (the aerial view) resolution.
#Stage 4: Final Delivery
Here you go, the final renderings of Alila Villas in full size. How do you like this hotel on the beach?
We’re extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to work with Gregory and his team throughout the project. Their exceptional designs, attention to detail, and smooth and seamless communication were evident every step of the way. We truly appreciate their collaboration, which allowed us to achieve our goals of creating accurate and aesthetic visualization works. At last, we hope to work with them again in the future, and cannot wait to visit this stunning place in person.
Looking for 3D exterior rendering services to elevate your design process? Need real estate rendering for your business? Contact our professional 3D architectural visualization studio now, and we’re here to level up your architectural presentation with reasonable price and quick timeframe.