3D Visuals & Virtual Reality
See your project before it’s built.
At ES Architecture, we know that floor plans and drawings can be difficult to visualise. That’s why we offer 3D walkthroughs and high-quality visuals, helping you understand your project fully before construction begins. And to be honest we love doing them! They’re fun, creative, and bring the design to life in a way that plans alone never can.
When to Request 3D Visuals
We usually suggest requesting 3D visuals at the end of Phase 1, just before planning submission. At this stage:
- The concept design is developed, but major changes haven’t been locked in yet
- You can fully explore the space, light, and layout before finalising the planning application
- Avoid costly changes later since altering 3D models after Phase 2 can be expensive
3D visuals are particularly useful if you’re stuck, unsure, or feeling in a stalemate about a design. These visuals help you see the space clearly, test ideas, and make confident decisions before committing to planning.
Our 3D & VR Services
- VR Walkthroughs: Experience your design in virtual reality using the Meta Quest 3 in our office. Walk through rooms, test layouts, and get a real sense of scale, light, and flow.
- 3D Still Images: High-quality photo-ready visuals created from 3D models. We combine traditional 3D modeling tools with AI-assisted rendering, producing lifelike images that show finishes, furnishings, and materials.
How AI Helps
Using AI alongside 3D modelling allows us to:
- Create realistic, cost-effective images quickly
- Show finishes, furniture, and interior design ideas
- Help clients who struggle to visualise spaces from floor plans
- Make decisions about layout, materials, and light with confidence
- Benefits
- Fully understand scale, light, and space before construction
- Explore different layouts, finishes, and furniture without committing
- Reduce design uncertainty and improve decision-making
- Ideal for extensions, loft conversions, and complex layouts
- Provide lifelike visuals for clients, families, or stakeholders
- Make the design process fun and interactive, giving you a real feel for your future home
Planning & Communication
3D visuals are not part of the planning process, however they can sometimes:
- Help sell complex schemes to planning authorities
- Bring your development to life visually, making it easier for planners or decision-makers to understand
- Support our advice on 3D visuals which will be helpful for your planning application
Even without planning requirements, just having a rendered model of your development can help you understand your space and design fully.
How We Work
- Offered alongside Phase 1 (Concept & Planning) or Phase 2 (Technical Design)
- An additional fee will be required to prepare these
- Flexible: choose VR walkthroughs, 3D stills, or both
- Iterative: make adjustments until you are completely confident in your design
3D visuals and VR are a powerful, fun way to experience your project, make confident decisions, and bring your design to life — especially for clients who struggle to visualise spaces from traditional plans.