₦airaland Forum

These days, it's become all too common to see CGI artists slapping together blocks and calling it architecture. The trend has gotten stale, with everyone jumping on the bandwagon. Same scenes, similar forms, boring styles especially for the so-called "contemporary" designs. Creativity is flying out the window. No one's coming close to Zaha Hadid or the Santiago Calatravas of this world. Just boring box like structures stacked in many unworkable ways.

Let's face it, anyone can use software or AI to whip up photorealistic images – and while they're technically computer-generated, they're often professionally inefficient. The real magic happens when an architectural designer crafts a 2D plan that's functionally resolved, and then brings it to life with 3D perspectives or visualizations.

Here's the thing: you can't have a workable, buildable, and functional 3D visual without a solid 2D architectural design – aka the floor plan. This is where the principle of "form follows function" comes in. You can't decide on the shape or form of a building without first nailing down the floor plan, including the functions of each space, ventilation, circulation, ergonomics, and structural compatibility. It's tantamount to the saying: failure to plan means planning to fail.

The 2D architectural working drawings should always come first, highly valued and consequently, highly paid for. Unfortunately, these days, people often prioritize flash over substance, much like make up to the bride , only to realize during construction that the beautiful 3D images aren't practical – because they were created by CGI artists focused on presentation, not by architects who understand the nuances of design.

The bottom line is that architecture goes far beyond 3D images or CGI. It's about the fundamental principles that guide the creation of perfectly resolved, usable spaces and iconic structures. The 3D image is just a way for architects to communicate their vision to those who aren't familiar with the technical side of things – like a translation of complex ideas into a more accessible language or legal jargon into plain words to the unlearned.

cc: cash1115