Modern Home Renderings in Edmonds, WA: A Visual Journey

Project Overview

Project Type: Residential Exterior Renderings Location: Edmonds, WA 98020 Timeline: 10 Days Client: Marlo Brown Architect

Where Architecture Meets Nature

In the verdant setting of Edmonds, Washington, we brought a contemporary residence to life through the art of digital visualization. This collaboration with a visionary local architect transformed technical blueprints into emotional experiences, capturing not just a structure, but a dialogue between modern design and the Pacific Northwest landscape.

The Vision

Our client sought more than mere representations—they desired visual stories that would:

• Highlight the clean lines and modern aesthetic of the home

• Demonstrate how the design connects with its natural surroundings

• Create a warm, inviting atmosphere through dusk lighting scenarios

• Provide compelling visuals for client presentations and marketing
  

The Artistic Process

1. Model Preparation & Initial Information - We began with comprehensive client input that included:

• A detailed 3D model of the structure from the architect

• Visual references for material selections and finishes

• Dusk setting inspiration images showing desired lighting atmosphere

• Landscape design references appropriate for the Pacific Northwest

Our team adapted the provided model for our visualization software, enhancing geometry and adding detail where needed to ensure maximum photorealism and flexibility during the rendering process.

2. Composing Through Light & Shadow

Using the adapted model, we created simplified white renderings from multiple perspectives, allowing the architect to evaluate compositions and select optimal viewpoints before investing time in detailed materials and lighting. The white model phase became our sketch—exploring perspectives, framing views, and discovering the most compelling visual narratives.

3. Material & Lighting Implementation - After views approval, we applied the client's specified materials, focusing on:

• Natural tones of the finishes and complementary textures

• Strategic dusk lighting to create a warm, inviting ambiance, creating visual poetry

• Realistic landscape integration with native plantings

• Precise material properties (reflectivity, transparency, texture)
  

4. Refinement & Client Collaboration - The process included two focused revision rounds where we fine-tuned:

• Material finishes and reflections

• Landscape elements, including scaling down and moving back bushes that were covering architectural features, while maintaining the atmospheric fog effect that the client particularly appreciated

Each adjustment honored both the architect's vision and the emotional impact of the final image.

Response

Our visual storytelling resonated deeply with both the architect and the client:

"These are incredible! Great job! I am very impressed. Thank you for providing the third perspective around the fire pit."

"I've attached a few comments, but all very minimal. Overall, this is just amazing. I love it!"

"They look fantastic. Please send your final invoice and these renderings. I'm so happy with how they turned out!"

The renderings successfully helped the architect present the home’s design with clarity and emotion, making them a valuable tool for client approvals and marketing.

The Craft Behind the Art

Software: 3ds Max, Corona Renderer, Photoshop Resolution: 4K (suitable for large-format printing) Specialty: Architectural visualization with photorealistic lighting

The Essence of Our Approach

• Twilight Alchemy – Finding that perfect moment when artificial and natural light achieve perfect balance

• Storytelling Through Process – Using white studies to discover the narrative before adding visual complexity

• Harmony of Elements – Carefully composed scenes showing how modern architecture can complement natural surroundings

• Artistry Within Constraints – Delivering high-quality visualization within a commercial timeframe

This project embodies our studio's philosophy—that architectural visualization is not merely technical representation, but the art of revealing the emotional experience of space before it exists in the physical world.