“It’s given us more time to work on design and produce what we need to produce,” one of the firm’s Architects says. “It’s changed the way we’re doing things in a good way.”
Well before renovation or construction begins, clients of Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects can take a virtual walk through their finished project. Moving from room to room, they pass other people, see how sunlight illuminates the redecorated interior spaces, and shift their perspective to see the new look from any angle.
If second thoughts arise about a wall color, countertop finish, carpet pattern, or shade of wood trim, changes can be made with the click of a mouse button.
Al that is possible because the firm invested several years ago in Lumion three-dimensional imaging software, a tool that Frank Dittenhafer, FAIA, LEED AP, president and co-founder of the firm, has called “invaluable.”
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Using a long-established modeling software, Architects and Designers first create a three-dimensional data base of all spaces. After transferring that image to Lumion, they can insert people, move walls around, and present actual fabrics and finishes in a photo-realistic setting viewed in still images or video.
Previously, it might have taken a week to produce visual renderings. That’s no longer the case.
“We used to spend hours and hours and hours in Photoshop doing post-production work, adding lighting, people, trees,” says Architect Jonathan Taube. “We couldn’t change the angle of view. “Now, we’re spending minutes in Photoshop. The rest is coming right out of Lumion.”
Architectural Designers Kyle Giumento and Bryan Wright describe the old versus new method exactly the same way: It’s like night and day.
In Lumion, “You can move around easily and see all views,” Giumento says. “You can show close-up views, move the camera to any location.”
Lumion can output still images almost immediately, he says, as opposed to previously having to wait overnight. And the views can be striking.
“With a video, you could go up the side of a building, pan down the building, and walk inside,” he says.
Ahead of the curve
While the software is easy to learn, Taube says, some designers might have an advantage.
“Designers who are good at this grew up with video games,” he points out. “The software uses the same type of processing engine, how light bounces, how textures appear.”
Wright, who had played some battlefield video games, can attest to that.
“There are certain movements that are very similar,” he explains. “The speed with which you can move around is similar to a video game. You can easily see mistakes, if something looks good or it doesn’t.”
Taube says one project prompted the firm to purchase more of the Lumion software.
“There was a particular client who was used to a more realistic representation of spaces,” he says. “Some architectural firms say, ‘We don’t have the capability or the time to learn software.’ But we had seen the need coming. We talked about it.
“We had the choice to hire a consultant to outsource work or make the investment in Lumion. It saved a ton of money.”
Collaborating more easily
In the office, Lumion helps Interior Designers work in the space the Architects create.
“They don’t have this abstract problem of imagining what the material is,” Taube says of the interior designers.
After downloading an image of fabric from a manufacturer, they can provide that image to the Architectural Designers and, in Lumion, see it applied to a chair, for example.
“If they like them, great. If not, we pick something else,” Wright says.
The software also helps to control costs.
“Architects benefit because they don’t have to worry about the expense of making more views,” Taube says. “They can look over a designer’s shoulder, ask what it would look like from this or that angle. You can have an efficient, more creative conversation about design.”
Clients can view the virtual space as it is being constructed.
“Architects can show different options for finishes, how a space looks with furniture and people,” Taube says. “It’s a way to get confirmation from a client.”
Positive response
The reaction from clients has been positive.
“They like to see their projects taking form,” Wright says. “It’s exciting.”
“A lot of people tell us they’re impressed with the amount of detail we can show,” Giumento adds.
Lumion also helps clients watch the bottom line.
“Some clients have to justify project details with a higher authority agency,” Taube notes. “A walk-through video can seal the deal.”
Lumion has proved to be a win-win for Murphy & Dittenhafer’s Architects and Designers as well as clients.
“It’s given us more time to work on design and produce what we need to produce,” Taube says. “It’s changed the way we’re doing things in a good way.”
Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects took on the Architecture, Interior Design, & Overall Project Management for the new Bedford Elementary School, and the outcome is impactful.