What Design and Build Teams Need to Know Before Starting a CGI Project
01.05.2026 by Dimitar Djedjeff
In design and build projects, CGI is rarely produced in isolation. It develops alongside live design work, consultant coordination, and evolving client requirements. In office and workspace projects especially, the effectiveness of CGI depends not only on visual quality, but on how well the process aligns with the wider programme. From a client’s perspective, understanding what information is required, how CGI fits into parallel workflows, and what influences scope and cost helps ensure a smooth collaboration and realistic expectations. This article outlines what a typical CGI project looks like when working with design and build teams on office and workspace environments. The Information Required to Begin a CGI Project Every CGI project starts with a clear and coordinated base. At minimum, this means receiving DWG drawings that reflect the agreed design direction at that stage of the project. For design and build workflows, this typically includes: • Basebuild drawings • Finalised room layouts • Confirmed floor plans reflecting zoning and circulation • Joinery drawings (in separate sheets – for example J01, J02, etc.) • Furniture layouts • Lighting plans • Planting • Glazing and partition manifestations These drawings allow us to establish accurate proportions and spatial relationships before introducing detailed elements. For more complex or technically developed projects, Revit models or existing 3D files may also be provided to support coordination and accuracy. Working in Parallel With the Design Team In most design and build projects, CGI production runs in parallel with ongoing design development. While we establish the basebuild and spatial structure, design teams often continue refining joinery, lighting strategies, furniture selections, or material packages. By the time the CGI model is ready to receive these elements, the relevant information is typically available. This approach allows CGI to support the project without slowing down the wider programme, keeping momentum across design, coordination, and presentation stages. Defining Image Requirements Early For office and workspace projects, image requirements are usually driven by the key moments that define how the space is understood. Rather than producing a large volume of views, clients typically focus on a concise set of images representing the main areas of the project, such as: • Reception and arrival spaces • Teapoints or breakout areas • Boardrooms or formal meeting rooms • Lounge or informal collaboration zones • Open working environments In addition to these primary views, projects often include: • Night-time images, used to communicate lighting intent and atmosphere • Close-up views, focusing on materials, joinery details, or bespoke elements First Abu Dhabi Bank by Maris Interiors | CGI by Visioaxis The number of images required is flexible and depends on what needs to be communicated at that stage of the project. Some spaces are effectively explained through one or two carefully selected views, while others benefit from a broader set to illustrate relationships between zones. Where appropriate, we may suggest alternative or additional camera angles that support the narrative of the space or improve how it is read by stakeholders. The final selection of views remains guided by the client’s presentation goals. Revisions and Design Development Design development is an expected part of design and build projects. For this reason, our standard scope includes up to two rounds of revisions. This allows space for feedback and adjustments while keeping the process structured and aligned with agreed objectives. Clear coordination at earlier stages helps ensure revisions remain focused and efficient. What Influences CGI Pricing CGI pricing varies between projects because complexity, scope, and outputs differ significantly. The primary factor influencing cost is project complexity rather than floor area alone. A smaller space with a high level of bespoke detail can require the same amount of work as a larger space with a more standardised fit-out. Factors that influence pricing include: • Level of detail required across the project • Amount of custom work , such as furniture or joinery modelled from scratch • Type and quantity of deliverables , including still images, walkthroughs, or VR experiences • Technical complexity , particularly in large or highly serviced office environments Facepunch Studios by Oktra | CGI by Visioaxis Because of this variability, sufficient information is required at the outset to provide a project-specific quotation rather than a generic estimate. Choosing the Right CGI Output Package Different design and build projects require different visual outputs. Some teams need a focused set of still images to support internal reviews or approvals, while others require walkthroughs or immersive formats for broader presentations. The choice between stills, animations, or interactive assets is driven by how the visuals will be used and who they are intended for. Defining this early helps ensure the CGI supports the project effectively at its intended stage. A Practical Collaboration CGI delivers the most value when integrated into the design and build workflow rather than treated as a standalone deliverable. Clear information, structured coordination, and early alignment on outputs allow visuals to support communication as designs evolve. At Visioaxis, we work with design and build teams on office and workspace projects to ensure CGI fits naturally into live programmes, supporting informed discussion and confident presentation throughout the process.
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How CGI Helps Designers Communicate Small Interiors Effectively
12.22.2025 by Dimitar Djedjeff
Small interiors leave little margin for misinterpretation. Proportions, storage, lighting, and spatial relationships must work together precisely, yet these qualities are often difficult to explain through drawings alone. In compact environments, even minor misunderstandings can influence how a space is perceived, approved, or delivered. For architects, interior designers, and design and build teams, presenting small interiors is therefore not only a design challenge, but a communication one. By supporting informed decisions and shared understanding early in the process CGI becomes not only a practical tool, but a necessity. Why Small Interiors Are Difficult to Communicate In reduced floor areas, every design choice carries weight. Storage elements shape circulation, reflective surfaces alter perception, and vertical emphasis changes how space is experienced. While plans and elevations describe intent, they rarely convey how these elements interact as a whole. Clients and stakeholders are often asked to imagine how a compact interior will function and feel based on technical information alone. When space is limited, this gap between intention and interpretation becomes more pronounced. Private apartment by Studio Hi | CGI by Visioaxis Visualising Integrated Storage in Compact Interiors Built-in storage is a common strategy in small interiors, helping maintain visual order and preserve usable space. However, its impact depends on how seamlessly it integrates with walls, furniture, and circulation paths. Through CGI, storage solutions can be presented in context—showing how volumes align, how sightlines are affected, and how the layout maintains balance rather than feeling congested. This allows design teams to communicate intent with confidence and evaluate options before committing to construction. Seaside residence by Studio Hi | CGI by Visioaxis Representing Light and Reflection in Small Spaces Reflective surfaces, glass partitions, and high-gloss finishes are often introduced to enhance spatial perception. Their success relies on subtle interactions with light, materials, and viewing angles - factors that are difficult to assess in isolation. CGI enables these elements to be explored as part of a complete environment. By illustrating how light behaves across surfaces and how reflections influence depth, designers can present a more accurate reading of the space and reduce uncertainty during reviews. Private House by Jean Petit Architects | CGI by Visioaxis Showing Vertical Emphasis and Spatial Depth Vertical emphasis is frequently used to add presence to compact interiors. Lighting at varied heights, elongated details, and tall joinery can guide the eye upward and alter how proportions are perceived. Through CGI, these vertical relationships can be communicated in a way that drawings struggle to achieve. Designers are able to demonstrate how height, rhythm, and scale work together, helping stakeholders understand spatial depth rather than interpreting elements individually. The Role of CGI in Small-Scale Interior Projects In small interiors, materials, reflections, and spatial relationships directly influence usability and perception. When these aspects are misunderstood, decision-making becomes slower and revisions more frequent. At Visioaxis, we collaborate with architects, interior designers, and design and build teams to produce 3D visualizations that support accurate evaluation and effective communication. Our work focuses on representing spaces as they will be experienced, allowing compact interiors to be reviewed and presented with confidence and intent. When space is limited, the way it is visualised often determines how well it is understood. Explore our portfolio to see how CGI supports small-scale interior projects and helps design teams present their work with precision.
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