International interest in architectural visualization at AVD 2017

The 20 square meter screen shows the newly built Center for Performing Arts in New York. The screen shows that light rain is falling and there is a suggestive undertone that touches the public at Visual Arena. These are the Architectural Visualization Days (AVD) and Luxigon, a pioneer in architectural visualization, is presenting one of its assignments.  

For the fourth consecutive year, the event is being organized with the aim of demonstrating how architecture can be visualized to facilitate everything from decision processes to planning. Over two days, September 21–22, visualizers, 3D artists, software developers, students and other interested parties met at Visual Arena at Lindholmen Science Park.       

Jason Bergeron and Ben Dawidowicz, Luxigon

“Architectural visualization is a relatively small professional area and the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences, know-how and contacts is of immeasurable value. It provides inspiration that I can take with me home.” These were the words of Jason Bergeron, architect at Luxigon and one of the speakers at the AVD. He also arranges one of the industry’s other seminars, D2 in Vienna.

“AVD in Gothenburg maintains a high international standard. At the same time, the seminar retains a pleasant and intimate atmosphere, which is a major advantage for triggering discussion and new meetings.”

It was four years ago that a group of visualizers from various architecture firms in Gothenburg decided the city needed a meeting venue for architectural visualization. They contacted Visual Arena who agreed. Today, AVD is one of Visual Arena’s largest events with participants from across the globe and tickets sold out in just one week.

This year’s AVD started with an inspirational day during which leading companies, such as Luxigon, Tegmark and Archmospheres, presented tasters of their visualization and photo projects, and described their work processes. The second day of the conference comprised skills development from software developers including Render Legion and iToo Software. Even Chaos Group from Bulgaria attended with CG Specialist Yana Andreeva who was one of the speakers at the event.

“In addition to demonstrating and providing tips about the functions in our software — this is also an opportunity for us to gain feedback from those who actually use our products. Personal contact with the participants provides many valuable insights that we can give to our developers,” she says.

Yana Andreeva, Chaos Group

The event has grown by one day this year, and is themed around inspiration and skills development. This program makes the AVD unique and comprises a reflection of a wider trend in architectural visualization.

“As the technology becomes easier to use, the artistic element of visualization becomes quicker to approach. We have therefore chosen not to just focus on the technology, we have also chosen to focus on inspiration,” says Samuel Michaelsson from White Arkitekter who is on the Program Committee for AVD.

Several of the participating companies view AVD as an opportunity to search for new talents ahead of any recruitment activities. Therefore, students from Yrgo presented their project work at Visual Arena and architecture students came all the way from Saitama in Japan to make contacts.

“I am extremely interested in architectural visualization and I have paid for my trip myself. In Japan, very few people work in this area and I hope to learn a lot that I can teach to others when I come home,” says Daichi Hagiwara.

Voices from the Architectural Visualization Days 2017:

“We think it’s important to meet users face-to-face.”
Marcin Miodek, Support Specialist at Render Legion
 
“With students attending, there is an opportunity to gain insights into new trends in architectural visualization.”
Jaime Parga, Marketing Manager at iToo Software
 
“I hope to be able to convey the message that we are all facing the same challenges in our industry, irrespective of whether one is self-employed or part of a large well-established company.”
Jason Bergeron, Architect at Luxigon.
 
“The screen at Visual Arena is awesome. Everyone is talking about it. And the atmosphere is super cool.”
Yana Andreeva, CG Specialist at Chaos Group
 
“I have new insight that I will apply to my workflows after AVD.”
Dan Andersson, Visualizer and Graphic Designer at his own company, D-vision.
 
“There are not that many people working with architectural visualization. At AVD, I don’t need to explain what I am studying as part of every conversation — I can move on directly to the interesting questions.”
Rebecca Borén, student at YRGO

To the event