Why Take Part in Architectural Tenders?
Architecture competitions allow architects to showcase their skills, creativity, and expertise, as well as bring interesting solutions to new developments. Winning leads and onboarding new projects create the opportunity to start with construction and bring the architect’s vision to real life.
Show Them What You Have
No matter how gifted an architect or how thorough the description of the project is, most clients, viewers, or competition jury members are unsure whether they are making the right decision until they see what it looks like.
That is why visual communication for tenders is an essential element of project evaluation to the jury. It is the bridge that brings the architect’s concept to life on presentation boards. Without it, the vision remains a bunch of technical drawings and blueprints.
Therefore, tenders are crucial to captivate jury members, as they speak for demonstrated design and can effectively communicate the architect’s ideas, its advantages, and project quality.
Architectural 3D Visualization Assignment
We were invited to collaborate on the Snellerpoort tender submission in the Netherlands. It is a municipality-stated architecture tender where the aim was to create vibrant surroundings of a station area with various functions, like daily activity, meeting up, or relaxing.
The assignment was to develop five 3D architectural visualizations working along with clients: LAP Landscape & Urban Design, Bemog Projektontwikkeling, MIX Architecture, and EVA Architects, who commissioned the designers.
Our Task in Architectural Competitions Projects
We are aware that quality architectural visualizations are a key aspect that helps the architectural company or architect studio to communicate the project’s essence to the jury members.
Each 3D visualization creation process emphasizes highlighting the project’s focal spaces and visualize construction advantages, ensuring the design aligns with details of the brief and technical drawings of the architectural firm.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architect designers: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Collaboration, sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / 3D visualization rendering studio: RNDR
About Huis In ‘t Veld Woerden Proposal
The Huis in ‘t Veld translate as ‘House in the Field’ and is a project that pays homage to the historic farm that once stood on its own in Snelpolder, Woerden. This contemporary interpretation features, like the inviting gates, the white flower garden-field, the social gathering house and characteristics of the 19th-century station area, evoke the nostalgic feeling of the historic fields.
The Huis in ‘t Veld concept is designed for people who want to relax, meet others, appreciate greenery, and enjoy sustainable lifestyle. Therefore, the Snellerpoort area creates an image of a bustling modern station hub with various functions and advantages.
Tender results not only bring people together, but also the past with the future by integrating the historical identity into the current design.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architects team: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Collaboration, sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / Architectural visualization studio: RNDR
Enticing Openings: Imagine Gates to the Past and Present
Urban planning projects are always in context. That is why openings and correlation to the surroundings need to be integrated in the designing process by the architect or design studio.
To achieve this effect, our clients decided to bring gate referrals from the past to life. The main entrance to the residential complex links to the ‘Poort van Woerden’ as you can see on the 3D visualization above.
That is why the focal visualization is taken from the nodal point of view. The 3D image above shows Building Block B2 with an entrance to Snellerpoort. This architectural elements links with ‘Poort van Woerden’ and typical 19th-century station neighborhood blocks.
The corner has a distinct urban design element without competing with the adjacent Het Baken church. The view through the Huis in ‘t Veld creates a sense of gates, like an interception and a kind of optical art trick, while reflecting the distinct local identity of the area’s unique character with a nod to the historical gate.
Landscape: Inner Gardens and Greenery
After passing the gate, you will find yourself in the white flower field with a light forest as the collective green heart of the block and common house open for all. These are visible through the Huis in ‘t Veld welcoming gate above and on the architectural visualization below.
As you can see on the rendering below, it’s a social meeting place equipped with shared cargo bikes, a large picnic table, and a place to store garden tools. It provides an inviting space for recreation and play.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architects team: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Collaboration, sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / Architectural visualization studio: RNDR
The garden features a blend of organic and linear shapes with winding paths. A child-friendly play route connects to the adjacent building. This was made possible by three gates in the plan, each with its own identity.
The white pearl garden is developed to invite residents and visitors to visually demonstrate a world of biodiversity. This hilly landscape is made for children to explore and play in nature. It is designed to bring people closer to nature and creates a space where all ages can get involved with the environment.
The inner courtyard seen on 3D visualizations demonstrates how sustainable urban design projects can integrate greenery into the community, therefore providing an inviting space.
Overall, 3D landscape renderings have the ability to help the tender jury visualize the project’s strengths.
Facade Detailing for Contemporary Buildings
The architectural 3D renderings of Huis in ‘t Veld present a modern and traditional building all at once. The building makes reference to the historical significance of the 19th-century station area, while maintaining a contemporary flair.
The visualization picture is tight grid textures of building blocks and streetscapes within the project. The visualizations creation was also focused on demonstrating a vivid neighborhood.
The renderings also tried to capture the delicate balance between past and present. The design integrates modern materials, technology and components that the architect will keep the building relevant and sustainable for years.
Design elements like bay windows, balconies, flower frames, and garden walls were shown on the 3D images to create a dynamic and captivating facade. Walking along the street, one can admire the unique architectural elaborations of each building while still feeling a sense of cohesion.
But that’s not all – the design also incorporates a green layer, made out of the building a framing for inner landscape design. On top of that the green zone surrounds the building. Whereas the green facade and the inner garden offer a lush and welcoming environment.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architects team: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Collaboration, sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / 3D visualization rendering studio: RNDR
Architectural Visualization Sustainability Components
Each rendering of The Huis in ‘t Veld was created with various sustainability components to showcase clients ecological ideas on 3D images.
One of the most significant sustainable feature of the project is the use of green roofs and walls, which are covered with vegetation to absorb rainwater and reduce energy consumption.
Another feature is the use of natural materials, such as wood and stone, in the construction of the building. These materials have a low environmental impact and can be easily recycled or repurposed.
The integration of gardens and greenery promotes biodiversity and improves air quality, providing a healthy and natural environment for residents and visitors alike. Whereas storm water gutters help with infiltration and water management in a natural way.
Building facades are called ‘neststeen huismus’ in Dutch, which are nesting stone houses for birds. When you take a closer look, you can see them on streetscape visualizations.
All these features are underlining the sustainability and ecological approach.
Lighting Effects on Tender 3D Visualization Set
The light on 3D visualizations for the Snellerpoort competition was used to enhance the mood and ambiance of the spaces.
Soft lighting and air perspective adjusted the mood to achieve a warm and inviting atmosphere. Natural light was used to add depth and artistic touch to the scenes, creating a feeling of warmth and to highlight areas and textures that matter most.
By carefully adjusting the intensity and color of the light and time of day, we were able to highlight the project’s focal points and let the viewer imagine and experience the spaces.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architects team: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / 3D visualization rendering studio: RNDR
Visual Storytelling of Architectural Project Tender Snellerpoort
In the Snellerpoort competition, we incorporated visual storytelling to point out its sustainable, historical and community-focused features.
Visual Meanings
The use of gardens and greenery, detailing, lighting effects, and historical features were depicted in the renderings. All these visual representations show how the building will interact with the environment and its inhabitants and how it refers to the past.
Staring from the inner garden, called white flower field, through the gates with historical references, logotype and gathering house.
Logo of House in the Fields as Further Narrative Element
The name of the project is ‘House in the Fields’, therefore the logo was placed on the social gathering house to explore this leitmotiv. You can see that it is making reference to the historical and present house which is blooming from a flower. This nice visual gesture highlights the historical foundations of the designed proposal.
Target Group Addressed Visually
The target group was visualized on 3D images by using the correct dress code and how the future inhabitants use the space.
Our clients designed the space for educational families with a progressive attitude, good jobs and care for the environment. Therefore, the 3D images visually represent how the building will interact with the environment and its inhabitants.
From this reason the images are showing particular functional areas to highlight that it was designed for people who want to relax, meet others, appreciate greenery, and enjoy a sustainable lifestyle. That is why you can see many bikes with trolleys or the highlight of using sustainable and common spaces with local identity.
Look and Feel
The renders depicted a warm, inviting environment with intricate inner landscape detailing and varied streetscapes. Creating a garden with particular mood and lighting depicts a sense of calm and serenity, whereas adding greenery highlights the project’s commitment to sustainability and biodiversity.
Architects designed a project around three colors: white, green and color of bricks.
That is why on visualizations selected light, color schemes, and textures are used to highlight the architectural proposal and showcase it as visual story.
For more ideas on how to create storytelling architectural visualizations, you can visit our social media pages or read this article on our website: How to improve your competition presentation, visualization and communication skills?
The Winning Elements of the Architectural Project
The blend of historical and contemporary features was designed in such a way that a characterful and modern building became the base idea for the overall project, which was inspired by white flower fields and past traditions.
The jury chose the Huis in ‘t Veld design for its innovative and eye-catching design, which features a diagonal element that draws attention from the surrounding area.
The winning project, Huis in ‘t Veld, stood out from the rest due to its close attention to design components and detail. In the jury report, the municipality quotes: “Great praise for the attention to the architectural design details (in relation to the requested station neighborhood architecture) in combination with nature-inclusive construction. This is an integral part of the architectural design so that ‘details are created that will still exude class a hundred years from now’.”
Moreover, incorporating nature-inclusive concept made it suitable for the municipality’s vision for a sustainable 21st-century residential area. Integrating natural resources like water streams into greenery and gardens into the design was also critical to the project’s success. The gardens created a biodiverse and inviting environment for residents and visitors.
Overall, the tender drawings, images, text, and renders gave the jury the ability to visualize the project’s components, objects and materials as a full vision. They also complete the understanding how the project would fit into the larger context of the Snellerpoort development.
1st Prize Architecture Tender / Snellerpoort B2 – Huis in ‘t Veld Woerden Tender in Netherlands/ Client: Municipality of Woerden / Architects team: Bemog Projektontwikkeling x MIX architectuur x EVA architecten x LAP Landscape & Urban Design / Sustainability advisors: Duurzaamheid adviseurs: DWA x Noorderlicht Ventures x Buro Bouwfysica / 3D visualization rendering studio: RNDR
Summary of the Creation Process of Architectural Tender Visualizations
In conclusion, the winning architectural renderings for the Huis in ‘t Veld project demonstrated a sustainable, nature-inclusive and contemporary building that integrates into the 19th-century station area and historical identity of place.
Would You Like to Show Technical Drawings in Appealing Way During Tenders and Construction Bids?
Quality architectural visualization helps our clients to get investments, win tenders and architectural competitions.
So, if you have an idea for a project or looking to participate in a competition, contact us for projects and competitions inquiries for a free quote: work@renderartstudio.com
We’re here to help bring your vision to reality.
