Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result

It is nearly impossible nowadays not to present accompanying renders when proposing a new project. No matter the method, software or style that is used, it is a valuable reference that bares more practical weight than one might think. Not only can it be one of the closest possible representations of the architect's vision, if approved, it can also become a promise to clients, investors, and the general public.

When it comes to works from renowned architects, the render becomes a critical reference to the project participants and to the expectant community. A lot of details can be developed and considered when creating the images. In most cases, special attention is brought to the lighting, materials, and context in order to make the most accurate representation possible.

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Render precision is very important in the early design phases, since detailed and well-executed visuals can denote issues and allow designers, engineers, and builders to anticipate potential complications that would otherwise require project compromises. A quality render can become a tool to getting the desired result at completion.

Renowned architects and their teams share a range of examples of how meticulous consideration of visualizations can be key in achieving inspiring works of architecture.

BEEAH Headquarters / Zaha Hadid Architects

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Courtesy of Zaha Hadid Architects / MIR
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 7 of 43
© Hufton+Crow

Maggie’s Leeds Centre / Heatherwick Studio

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 8 of 43
Courtesy of Heatherwick Studio
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 9 of 43
© Hufton+Crow

House of Hungarian Music / Sou Fujimoto

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 10 of 43
© Varosliget Zrt.
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 11 of 43
Courtesy of Liget Budapest Project

Little Island Park / Heatherwick Studio + MNLA

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 14 of 43
Courtesy of Luxigon
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 15 of 43
© Timothy Schenck

YueCheng Courtyard Kindergarten / MAD Architects

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 16 of 43
Courtesy of SAN
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 17 of 43
© Hufton+Crow

Audrey Irmas Pavilion / OMA

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 20 of 43
Courtesy of OMA
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 21 of 43
© Jason O Rear

Japan National Stadium / Taisei Corporation + AZUSA SEKKEI + Kengo Kuma & Associates

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 22 of 43
Courtesy of Japan Sport Council via Curbed
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Courtesy of Taisei Corporation, Azusa Sekkei Co., Ltd. , Kengo Kuma and Associates Joint Venture

Le Monde Group Headquarters / Snøhetta

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 24 of 43
Courtesy of Snøhetta
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© MARWAN HARMOUCHE

Musée Atelier Audemars Piguet / BIG + ATELIER BRÜCKNER + CCHE

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 26 of 43
Courtesy of BIG
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 27 of 43
© Iwan Baan

Beirut Terraces / Herzog & de Meuron

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 30 of 43
Courtesy of Benchmark
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 31 of 43
© Iwan Baan

Vessel Public Landmark / Heatherwick Studio

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Courtesy of Getty Images / Forbes Massie
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Courtesy of Getty Images

Grace Farms / SANAA

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Courtesy of Grace Farms and SANAA
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© Dean Kaufman

Grove at Grand Bay / BIG

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 36 of 43
Courtesy of BIG
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 37 of 43
© Rasmus Hjortshøj - COAST

The Shed, a Center for the Arts / Diller Scofidio + Renfro

Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 38 of 43
Courtesy of Diller Scofidio + Renfro and The Rockwell Group
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© Iwan Baan

Under (Underwater Restaurant) / Snohetta

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Courtesy of MIR and Snøhetta
Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result - Image 42 of 43
© Ivar Kvaal

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 12th, 2020, and updated on April 6th 2022. Find more reference projects in this My ArchDaily folder created by the author.

This article is part of the ArchDaily Topics: The Future of Architectural Visualizations, proudly presented by Enscape, the most intuitive real-time rendering and virtual reality plugin for Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, Archicad, and Vectorworks. Enscape plugs directly into your modeling software, giving you an integrated visualization and design workflow.

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Cite: Hana Abdel. "Renders vs. Reality, Comparing Recent Project's Original Vizualization to their Built Result" 10 Apr 2022. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/942700/renders-vs-reality-projects-from-renowned-architects-before-and-after> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Getty Images / Forbes Massie

渲染VS现实,著名建筑落地前后效果对比

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