Skyrise Central: shifting away from commercialism towards residential development
The influence of modern 3D visualization technologies is currently escalating at a pace as frenetic as the rise of skyscrapers in various metropolises around the globe. Some armed with billions of dollars strive to outdo their competitors in a race for engineering ingenuity. Consequently, unique architectural projects are born, wherein the latter part of the phrase “supreme excellence” inevitably undergoes transformation.
As a result, we witness buildings adhering to the brutalist canon becoming less “concrete,” “sharp” and “edgy” as modern style dictates (even though today’s agenda dismisses both concrete and glass as materials used in skyscraper construction). Consequently, we lag behind trends considering a 100-meter structure significant, while unyielding leaders peer through the clouds in the Southern Hemisphere metaphorically without end in verticality. We thus weigh ecological concerns and ponder the feasibility of exclusively erecting wooden skyscrapers calculating various risks. And what are they?
In half of the cases, conceptual drawings competing in architectural competitions fail to receive recognition remaining the figment of the author’s imagination. Works gather dust in portfolios languishing in hope’s anticipation. Today, hope is presented through advantages encapsulated in photorealistic renders! Everyone becomes considerably happier (from the cozy café barista who can envision their workspace at bird’s-eye height to the developer eager to swiftly recoup the investment in a tourist center) upon realizing how to profit from visualizations. Serving as potent marketing weapons, they guarantee that the billion dollars allocated to skyscraper construction won’t go to waste…
How? Our studio happens to have a notable case that addresses this question. Certainly, it doesn’t involve astronomical sums, but we nonetheless assisted the client in saving resources.
3D visualizations reflecting the challenges of modern architecture
Sometimes our desires are completely incompatible with the realities presented by the market. It has a tendency to transform and pose choices. This is clearly evident in renders whose ideas have gone unnoticed. Some may be sidelined due to lack of investment. Others may be “held back” for better times in laboratories due to the complexity of implementation and adherence to strict standards that no developer can afford (as is the case with urban planning culture in Japan). What beautifully reflects the superiority of future skyscrapers alongside their “siblings” in digital form may simply fail in practice.
Why? Because the goal set by the client is often vaguely formulated (not to mention the lack of a project brief that may not even exist). Because during the time 3D artists create visualizations, the saturation of luxury penthouses costing $10 million, which complement the upper floors of skyscrapers reaches its peak. Alongside this, the population grows feeling “crowded” within the confines of their native city.
In general, any factor can become a consequence of unforeseen circumstances or even serious issues related to political situations or specific large-scale events. Addressing these issues becomes more of a priority than calculating profits from the implementation of branded goods, whose stores lease the ground floor of your unique high-rise…
And as our studio’s collaboration with clients from Australia demonstrates, no modern building on the southern continent can be called typical or ordinary. Each structure here reflects the uniqueness of the country making it recognizable worldwide. Just recall the Q1 Tower, whose design was inspired by the symbol of the Olympic Games — the form of a burning torch (incidentally, the references also lie in the abbreviation, which deciphers as the name of the Australian rowing team).
Change in direction and client budget savings
Interestingly, the starting point for our studio’s interaction with a small developer turned out to be quite ironic a result of the 2032 Summer Games planned in Brisbane (the client’s hometown)…
This news became a decisive factor in shifting the real estate market’s course. The entertainment sector, represented by multifunctional skyscrapers and comprising 3% of Queensland’s capital partly prompted the “replication” of less luxurious residential buildings with a greater number of apartments. As a result, we aligned with the client to meet societal needs creating 3D visualizations for a 25-story building that stands out for its simplicity and, to some extent, predictability. Yes, it appears we went against trend system. Eventually, the structure will feature apartment layouts of varying sizes (15 one-bedroom, 120 two-bedroom and 27 three-bedroom units). It will also exclude office space rentals to ensure residents don’t overhear IT professionals cursing after releasing new code. Just a joke…
Initially, the client had contemplated constructing a grand-scale skyscraper that would resemble an “industry giant.” Its amenities were set to include indoor/outdoor pools, a spa salon, sauna and gym. For entertainment tourists would have access to a museum, art galleries, fine dining restaurant and boutique clothing store with a specially designed daycare for young visitors occupying the lower floors. Naturally, the building spanning several dozen stair flights was planned with a couple of high-speed glass elevators offering views of Brisbane’s beauty. It seemed like a true paradise for investors…
The client opted for a sustainable design approach. Moreover, this move not only saved potential project costs by fourfold but also drew attention from authorities to the issue of the “city of the new world” earning its nickname due to a weekly population increase of nearly 1000 people.
3D visualization as a source of informed decision-making
In our collaboration with an Australian client we presented two project options through advanced 3D visualizations. This approach allowed the client to make an informed decision in favor of sustainable development thereby shelving plans for another skyscraper. Our visualizations played a pivotal role in illustrating the potential of a more balanced and community-focused approach influencing the client’s strategic shift towards addressing urban sustainability challenges rather than pursuing further vertical expansion. This highlights the transformative power of technology in guiding architectural decisions towards a more environmentally conscious future.
