3D LAYOUT SOLUTIONS IN INTERIOR DESIGN
Interior design is a highly diverse field. From the stage of negotiations with the client to the moment they move into the finished space, not only does a lot of time pass, but also many stages of work. Let’s briefly go through them:
Correct me if I’ve missed anything!) Each of these stages also requires client approvals, and designers often have to redo each stage multiple times. Despite this enormous amount of work, it’s very common for a single specialist to manage the entire project. The logic behind such decisions is that each new stage requires full immersion in the previous one and an understanding of the next. Large design studios often take a different approach by dividing the work between different specialists, assembling them into teams, which personally appeals to me more because the quality and speed of work at each stage significantly increase, and the risks are reduced, as the project is not dependent on just one person.
? — When I first started my journey as an interior designer, I also worked on all stages of the project on my own. Over time, I realized that although I enjoy all aspects of my profession — from discussions with the client to arranging the final decor in a finished interior — there are still certain stages, such as creating the layout drawings, that I prefer much more. — ?
As I gained more experience, creating layouts became my passion. I can confidently say that the floor plan solution is the foundation of any interior, the skeleton on which all subsequent stages of the project are built.
In practice, I often encountered that reviewing the layout solution is not very interesting for the client and is perceived as a transitional step necessary for getting the desired beautiful aesthetic visuals. I made every effort to convey the importance of the layout solution. So I started presenting layout solutions also in 3D. For someone without a specialized background or a well-developed creative imagination, 3D layouts are much easier to understand compared to 2D plans and provide a better sense of space.
But most importantly, 3D layouts allow the specialist to work not only horizontally but also vertically. A simple example: the kitchen work surface — we see the stove and sink on the 2D plan, but what’s above the work surface? Hanging cabinets? Open shelves? Empty space? You can’t see that on a 2D plan.
Many people work based on agreeing on 2D plans and reference images. The overall concept is then offered for review in 3D visualizations. That’s also a tool. However, if the client doesn’t like something or if something was simply forgotten because the layout was only created in one plane, we have to go back to the planning stage, make adjustments, and redo the 3D images again.
? — By presenting the client with a 3D layout, I’ve been able to significantly reduce the number of corrections and adjustments in all subsequent stages of project work. We can literally "walk" through the rooms in real time, see all the possible nuances, and make adjustments before the visualizer spends a lot of time assembling the model, adding textures, and rendering the images. — ?
Of course, it’s important to remember that 3D layout is NOT the same as 3D visualization. It doesn’t need to be detailed in terms of decor or colour schemes, and the models of finished furniture don’t need to match exactly what you’ve chosen in the store. Even using the basic ArchiCAD library, you can create a 3D layout solution that fully demonstrates your idea and the functional aspects of the interior. However, 3D layout must be clearly, thoroughly, and precisely developed in terms of ergonomics, structural solutions, and the forms of custom-made interior items.
领英推荐
Here are just a few key advantages of presenting a layout solution in 3D:
In many cases, this 3D layout presentation is so effective that it can even eliminate the need for a full 3D visualization—a rather time-consuming and financially costly stage. Beautiful images are great for filling a designer's portfolio, but we must remember that our main goal is a completed renovation. When there’s no time for full 3D visualizations, presenting the layout in 3D is an excellent solution.
And although this tool seems essential, many design studios still don’t consider it necessary to implement 3D layouts as a standard practice, not wanting to spend too much time on this initial stage.
Nevertheless, the trends are encouraging — more programs are emerging, and existing ones are improving and becoming easier to use, so creating 3D layouts takes less and less time and resources from specialists.
Currently, designers are choosing between
? — I personally chose ArchiCAD + BIMx as my primary tools. I create the layouts in ArchiCAD and load the model into BIMx for client presentations. What I particularly like is that in BIMx, you can quickly switch back to the drawings and, if necessary, change styles — whether in colour, schematic, or black-and-white tones. This is an effective tool if you have doubts about the colour scheme — by switching to black and white, you can decide whether the issue is with the colour or the form. — ?
ArchiCAD will be especially convenient for those working closely with architects or who need to pass the file on to engineers. Revit also excels in this area, but the functionality is so similar that if you’re already working in ArchiCAD, there’s little point in switching to Revit. I’d like to highlight SketchUp separately. It has three clear advantages:
So, if you’re in the process of choosing a program or looking for new effective tools to enhance your professional level, I hope this article was helpful to you. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments. Feel free to contact me and stay tuned!
#3DPlan #2DPlan #FloorPlan #3DFloorPlan #PlanningSolution #3DLayout #LayoutDrawing #3DLayoutDrawing #Interior #InteriorDesign #ArchiCAD #3DPlanning #InteriorLayouts #InteriorDesignerTools #SpacePlanning #3DFloorPlans #InteriorDesignProcess #DesignWorkflow #DesignEfficiency