Architecture in Perspective: Archviz & Design for Entertainment
Updated: Sep 19, 2020
Gnomon, the school for Visual Effects, Games & Animation, hosted in 2019 a very interesting and diverse panel at the 39th annual Architecture in Perspective conference weekend.
I found it quite educational and worth sharing it with you.
The panel was composed of some very relevant people in the industry: from Eric de Broche des Combes, principal architect at Luxigon to Nick Hiatt, art director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The main subject was about archviz and the use of VR/AR. One main topic was the transition of traditional architecture illustration/still image to the VR technology. For some panelists, the framed still image offers a richer experience, since it does not reveal everything. The image/illustration tells a story by showing elements or situations that are not disclosed, which leaves space for the imagination.
Image referenced by Mike Golden at the conference - Le Corbusier, Villa Savoye, kitchen (photo Marius Gravot, FLC L2(17)176 ©FLC-ADAGP)
With VR and Augmented reality the paradigm changes, the observer is in the first-person mode, experiencing everything, moving around, maybe interacting with objects and all the elements are before him and reachable. There are no secrets and the imagination is not stimulated. But of course, then the video game industry comes into discussion and storytelling finds again a stage to shine. Should the future of archviz be more like a video game?
Also, another topic discussed was archviz being a tool just to help sell architecture, or if it could also be a tool to improve it. This question is answered when VR is utilized enabling the architect to experience first hand the scale of the architectural space.
Another topic was archviz as a business commonly based on the still image compared with the work in a VR project, where often a lot more as to be done in terms of modeling and texturing, but the cost does not reflect that additional effort.
Another important issue was mentioned, although not elaborated, concerning the growing expectation of the client wanting much more than still images. Due to the increased working speed, a 3D project can be made faster, therefore increasing the demand.
Take a look at the video not only because of the relevant issues discussed but also the often amusing nature of Eric de Broche des Combes with his, let's say, intrepid statements.
Enjoy!
Panelists
Moderator: Chris Nichols, Director of Chaos Group Labs & Host of CG Garage
Eric de Broche des Combes, Principal Architect at Luxigon
Joy Lea, Lead Environment Artist & CG Art Director at ARwall
Mike Golden, Head of 3D at KitBash3D and Founder of Three Marks
Nick Hiatt, Art Director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Isabel Eckmann, Architectural Visualization Artist
Megan Lubazka, SW Regional Creative Media Leader at Gensler
Link to the American Society of Architectural Illustrators, organizer of the conference:
Link to the Gnomon website:
Link to the youtube video: