How do you envision the future of architectural visualization?
If you see technologies like AI and real-time rendering playing a significant role in shaping architectural practice, then you’d be of the same opinion as the AEC professionals who took part in the Future of Architectural Visualization survey.
In 2023, more than 2,000 AEC professionals took part in a survey to give insight into the emerging trends shaping architectural visualization. The participants ranged from freelancers to employees working in large firms specializing in fields across the industry, from interior design to master planning.
This overview of key takeaways explores what architects and designers anticipate for architectural visualization.
Real-time rendering is a critical tool in the industry
More than 75% of survey participants advised that they use real-time rendering daily or at least twice per week. They stated their primary uses were for reviewing the project in a real-time viewer during design (53%), exploring materials/finish options (53%), and creating visualizations (52%).
The responses show that, in addition to being an excellent tool for creating images, real-time rendering is essential for the design workflow, playing a crucial role in decision-making and collaboration.
Foundational visualization techniques are required
A commonality found across the firms, regardless of their size, was the preference for creating visualizations in-house. The survey responses revealed that over 75% of firms produce their architectural visualizations in-house through dedicated experts or the architects/designers doing it themselves.
This trend calls attention to the need for architects and designers to have a basic understanding of visualization techniques as we see a move toward more autonomy and expertise within firms.
AI is unfolding at a rapid pace
Fifty-five percent of survey respondents revealed that they either fully embrace AI or actively experiment with it. Compared to technologies like augmented reality (AR), which has been around for years, AI, which is relatively new in the industry, has quickly been picked up by the architecture and design community.
This fast adoption indicates the revolutionary potential of AI. With its promises of improved efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and unprecedented capabilities for design workflows, it should come as no surprise that 37% of survey participants disclosed their intention to invest more in the technology.
Shaping the future of architectural practice
The insight collected in the Future of Architectural Visualization survey reveals that real-time rendering and AI are not fleeting trends. Instead, they are technologies leveraged by the industry that are fast becoming common practice to use in projects and daily workflows thanks to their transformative power in enhancing efficiency and innovation in the architectural field.
As the only real-time visualization solution that plugs directly into design tools, Enscape enables architects and designers to re-imagine the possibilities of architectural practice.
Download the full report to explore the trends further and get a more in-depth look at the survey findings.
