Architectural visualization has come a long way in recent years, evolving from still images to real-time, immersive experiences. As technology advances, so do the expectations of you and your clients. So, what would you like to see next? 🤔
To find out, we asked over 1,000 architects and designers, ‘What new features or tools would you like to see in architectural visualization software?’ as part of our broader survey with Architizer on the ‘State of Architectural Visualization’ (report coming soon!).
Smarter AI-driven workflows, better lighting and materials, and faster renderings were some of the top responses. One theme in particular also stood out: ease of use. Architects want software that is not just powerful but super intuitive and simple to use.
Here are the top 5 things that our surveyed designers would like to see in architectural design and visualization software soon.
1. AI integration within visualization tools
Unsurprisingly, AI is top of mind for the survey respondents. Many of the architects shared how they want tools that leverage AI to automate certain tasks, generate design options, and improve rendering quality. Energy efficiency analysis and sustainability suggestions were also frequently mentioned (more on that in our last point below).
What architects want:
- AI-powered design and rendering enhancements.
- AI for concept design and ideation.
- AI for scene and asset generation.
- AI for environment and energy analysis.
- AI for automation and workflow efficiency.
💬 Survey comments:
"I would like the artificial intelligence to suggest color combinations, design options, and alternatives to what I am currently creating."
"The ability to quickly create a specific asset using AI would be helpful."
"To manipulate and edit AI-generated images accurately and simply."
2. Lighting and material improvements
Respondents also want to create more accurate and realistic visualizations, and one way to do that is through enhanced lighting and material features. Designers are looking for lifelike textures, shadows, and better material mapping across different platforms.
What architects want:
- More realistic and better control over both natural and artificial light.
- Expanded material libraries with high-quality, realistic textures that reflect real-world materials such as wood, metal, and glass.
- Easier ways to manipulate textures and customize shaders to refine the appearance of materials and surfaces.
💬 Survey comments:
"Better lighting. Getting lighting looking accurate in our current software feels like winning the lottery. It doesn't work most of the time, but it looks great when it does."
"Better light control, sunlight and artificial light."
"Enhanced material libraries with realistic textures and easy customization."
3. Faster rendering speeds
Next on our architect’s wish list is faster, hardware-efficient and AI-optimized rendering. They want to render faster without any loss in quality and have the option to use lower-spec machines and devices. They also want to be able to speed up workflows by using tools that are simple to use and have an intuitive UI.
What architects want:
- Faster rendering times without the need for high-spec machines and GPUs.
- Cloud computing and collaboration to reduce the burden on machines.
- AI-optimized workflows to help speed up rendering times.
- Seamless integration between design and visualization tools to speed up workflows and rendering (hello, Enscape 😉).
💬 Survey comments:
"Let AI take some of the processing work to make the real-time visualization faster."
"The ability to generate photorealistic renderings, very fast and accurately."
"I think a more intuitive interface with drag-and-drop customization would make my work faster and smoother."
4. Easier animation and walkthroughs
Survey respondents showed significant interest in intuitive and easy-to-use animation tools that will allow them to offer a more dynamic and engaging way to communicate their design ideas. They also want to see enhanced immersive walkthroughs using VR/AR, plus animated assets, including people and cars.
What architects want:
- User-friendly animation tools that work with real-time rendering software (meet Envision!🎬).
- Time-lapse and real-time animation features to enhance presentations.
- Animated assets like people, vehicles, and also water and wind to create more lifelike scenes.
- Seamless day-to-night transitions and seasonal changes.
💬 Survey comments:
"Streamlined photorealistic animation tools could create cinematic project presentations."
"Animated cars/people, weather changes."
"Enhanced AR/VR integration would improve immersive walkthroughs."
"Deeper entourage options and more intuitive animation and post-process video editing."
5. Real-time energy and sustainability analysis
The fifth most requested capability of visualization software was centered around sustainability insights. Architects want to be able to analyze their designs in real time for insights into energy performance, material impact, and sustainability metrics and receive sustainable design recommendations. Having access to this information would help them to make better-informed decisions earlier on in the design process. Some also stated that AI could help support this need.
What architects want:
- Integrated energy performance insights (check out Enscape Impact 😄).
- Real-time feedback on energy use, thermal comfort, and lighting.
- Embodied carbon and operational energy calculations.
💬 Survey comments:
"Built-in features that simulate environmental impact, energy consumption, and carbon footprint of the design, offering insights on how to improve sustainability."
"Real-time energy, thermal comfort, lighting, wind flow simulation on a daily basis walkthrough visualization."
"To support sustainability, carbon footprint tracking and material lifecycle analysis are essential."
"AI-driven sustainability analysis tools that assess material impact on building performance."
Further insights coming soon…!
This is just a snapshot of what architects would like to see made possible with architectural design and visualization tools. It’s clear that above all else, architects expect AI to help accelerate and simplify their workflows. It will be interesting to see what will be implemented into existing visualization tools this year and next.
The full results of our joint AEC industry survey with Architizer on the topic of ‘The State of Architectural Visualization 2024/25’ will be available soon, so watch this space. If you participated in the survey conducted in November 2024, thank you for taking part 😊.
If you have any further thoughts or insights regarding the information shared in this article, or even a recent design project or interesting workflow you'd like to share with the community, please email us at blog-editor@chaos.com.
Thanks for reading!
