The Modern
Overlooking Lake Worth Lagoon in West Palm Beach, Florida, this high-rise residential development originally featured a variety of luxury apartment configurations. While the project has since evolved under a new design team, the completed development now boasts high-end residences with prices averaging USD 4 million.
Before these design changes took place, back in 2009, while still known as The Modern, 3D Design Bureau was commissioned to produce a series of 3D marketing images to showcase how the scheme would look. More than a decade later, we revisited the project, not only to assess our technical evolution but also to experiment with new lighting and atmospheric techniques.
Working with our original model, the team first collaborated on setting key viewpoints in 3D Studio Max, aligning them with angles from the initial project while also exploring new perspectives, such as aerial views and shots from Lake Worth Lagoon. While not every structural draft made the cut for the final visualisation, this process gave our team flexibility and a deep understanding of the development site.
Due to the unique location and architectural style of the project, our visualisation team was able to explore different approaches. Using RailClone for 3DS Max, we created detailed parametric objects, which enhanced balconies and interiors. Given the unique location and architectural style, our visualisation team had the opportunity to explore different creative approaches. Using RailClone for 3DS Max, we created detailed parametric objects, enhancing balconies and interior elements. The Florida seaside setting also allowed us to experiment with different vegetation and water effects, particularly influencing the proximity of the scheme to Lake Worth Lagoon. Our post-production team used the ‘Photobashing’ technique, blending digital assets for a lifelike finish – more evident in ceiling lamps, algae, and concrete textures.
We also paid particular attention to the overall lighting and atmosphere of the CGIs, with one image capturing a cool, foggy morning ambience, while the others radiate a warm, coastal vibe through blue hues and lighting flares.
While this project primarily served as an internal exercise to assess our progress over the years, it turned into an opportunity for creative freedom. This autonomy resulted in high-quality 3D marketing images, offering a fresh perspective compared to our usual workflow.
