The Best 3D Architectural Visualization Companies You Should Know About

Le Corbusier once said, “To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order? Function and objects.” So basically, architectural visualization introduces simulated reality to the putting-in-order of functions and objects. And we have already reached a stage where renderings are virtually identical to photographs. However, photorealism in architectural visualization is also a kind of “putting in order” of models, scenes, lighting, etc. As in any craft, there will always be those who excel.

In our latest article, we were motivated to curate a list of the top 3D visualization companies. This compilation is based on the preferences and selections of the Omegarender production team. Most studios on our list share the following qualities:

The Best 3D Architectural Rendering Companies According to Omegarender

1. MIR

MIR is a good example of how a studio can have fewer employees and still be the best in the industry. A small studio based in Bergen, Norway, consists of a multinational and multi-talented team from Poland, Italy, Korea, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, and its motherland, Norway.

Over the 22 years of its existence, MIR has managed to work with major global and European market players such as Zaha Hadid Architects, MAD Architects, Snøhetta, BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), Kengo Kuma & Associates, and many others.

Carefully examining their visualizations reveals a distinctive authorial style, common leitmotifs, and visual presentation forms. The architecture on their renderings is always presented majestically, often surpassing the scale of a person and the surrounding environment. The images are absolutely indistinguishable from photographs, and they are often inspired by compositional art photography rules that bring additional dynamics to the picture.

Specializing in still-life images of exterior and interior spaces, the studio distinguishes itself through an exceptional artistic approach and unparalleled photorealism.

2. Beauty and Bit

From the North of Europe, we move smoothly to the South. Beauty and Bit, based in Madrid, Spain, is renowned in the archviz community for its strong art direction. The studio prioritizes an artistic approach, going beyond a simple illustration of architectural objects to infuse their 3D renderings with a distinctive atmosphere.

Their artistry permeates every aspect of their work, reflecting their ultimate goal of producing iconic and fresh visuals. To verify this, visit their site and explore the team tab. You will notice that even the tiniest details are creatively uniquely approached by Beauty and Bit.

Beauty and Bit belongs to the category of top-tier studios. In addition to the classic set of exterior and interior 3D rendering and animation services, they also have their creative direction, which deals with conceptualization and storytelling.

Among their regular clients are prominent names, such as BIG, Perkins & Will, Schmidt Hammer Lassen, CF Moller, KAAN, etc.

3. Steelblue

Next in our list of top architectural visualization companies, we have chosen Steelblue. Based in San Francisco, this company positions itself as a creative marketing agency specializing in the real estate sector. Steelblue is always looking for innovative and cutting-edge solutions to create a pre-visualization of a building: 3D printing, Oculus Rifts, and 3D rendering.

The Steelblue team admits they are “design nerds and marketing strategists who believe there is tremendous value in making architecture sexy.”

The initial standout feature in their visualizations is storytelling, achieved through the seamless integration of people into a 3D environment. In their renderings, people are not portrayed merely as silent dummies randomly placed throughout the scene. This creates a vibrant and evocative scene, sometimes reminiscent of a frame in a movie.

Their client list includes major architectural firms like Som, Gensler, HOK, Perkins & Will, the prominent American real estate agency CBRE, and even the Golden State Warriors basketball team.

4. Arqui 9

Let’s turn back to European industry leaders. Arqui 9, based in London, is a two-time CG Architect Visualisation of the Year winner. Their services go beyond the standard 3D visualization and include animation, 360 VR walkthroughs, storyboarding, work by concept artists, and even marketing scheme planning.

Arqui9 states, “We find inspiration in the various forms of art to express ourselves, be it music, painting, drawing, cinema, photography or theater to express but a few.”

Arqui9 likes to work with large-scale architecture, giving the eye a feeling of majestic scope. Their clients include Gensler, Neom, Perkins and Will, and Binghatti. In addition to commercial projects, the studio also offers educational programs on the Arqui9 Learn platform.

Recently, Omegarender collaborated with Arqui9 to create renderings for the Bugatti residence project, a collaboration between the legendary automotive brand and one of the largest real estate companies in Dubai, Binghatti.  Arqui9 was responsible for the exteriors, and we, in turn, created the interiors. The case study of this project can be found here. Also be sure to check out our article on 3D Designing Services in Dubai!

5. Doug and Wolf

It is difficult to tie the next studio to a specific location; it’s more international due to its offices in Sydney, Paris, and Kyiv.

The Doug and Wolf Studio has posted a gallery on the main page of their website. That's it! Instead of relying on extensive text and complex web design, they conveyed the studio's essence and level through images. This decision is bold and wise, as Doug and Wolf's renderings speak for themselves; they stand on their own merits, and any additional descriptions would be redundant.

So, we will also refrain from extensive descriptions and state that photorealism, an evocative and artistic approach, an unforgettable atmosphere, and high-end statement design pieces characterize Doug and Wolf Studio's images.

Doug and Wolf Studio serves companies that include HOK, Snøhetta, BIG, Koichi Takada Architects, and more.

6. Hayes Davidson

A true legend and holder of high-profile titles, Hayes Davidson is the first UK archviz studio and one of the earliest pioneers in 3D rendering. In addition to the highest quality images, the studio is quite rightly proud of its animation projects. Inevitably, their final result is always stunning. For Hayes Davidson, ensuring that the animation is innovative and realistically captures motion is crucial. For instance, drawing from cinema post-production practices, they frequently include actors in front of a green screen to enhance the realism of their animations.

Hayes Davidson's design approach is profound, demonstrated not only in words but also in practice. There is a Labs section on their website. In it, the studio shares the results of experiments with digital technologies, including photogrammetry, motion capture, realistic simulation, representation of moving water, and more. The results of their research raise the level of their production team and give a solid impetus for introducing new ideas and practices into commercial work.

Throughout the years, Hayes Davidson has collaborated with numerous industry leaders in architecture and design, including Zaha Hadid Architects, Gensler, Foster + Partners, BIG, and SHoP Architects.

7. The Boundary

The Boundary Studio, contrary to its name, transcends geographical boundaries. The company has three offices across the globe: London, New York, and Auckland. Peter Guthrie and Henry Goss founded the Boundary, pilgrims of digital technologies in architecture. More details about Guthrie will be provided in the list of the best artists in the 3D architectural visualization industry.

Besides architectural visualization, the Boundary creates interactive large-scale digital twins, metaverse environments, and full-cycle advertising films for real estate.

Their clients include Foster + Partners, Henry Goss Architects, The Forest V, Bowles & Wyer, STUDIO PAOLO FERRARI, Wellington City Council, and many more. They prioritize working with a group of regular clients.

8. Dbox

The following company is not a classic 3D visualization studio, but provides rendering services. Dbox specializes in innovative, strategic marketing campaigns for luxury residential, hospitality, commercial, and cultural properties.

Their images are excellent, and their expert projects have received recognition from prestigious institutions such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmy® Awards), The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), American Design Awards, and many others.

Among their clients are names already familiar to us, such as BIG, Foster+Partners, HOK, SOM, etc.

9. Binyan Studios

Founded in 2007, BINYAN is a multi-content agency. Their services include content strategy, CGI stills, art direction, storytelling, UX design, photography, live-action film, animation, display suite planning, and digital sales applications.

The company has studios globally, including in Australia, the USA, the UK, and the UAE. The geography of their prizes is also impressive; for example, they have prizes from the UK Property Awards, Arabian Property Awards, Architizer A+Firm Awards, and The Property Council of Australia Awards.

Their website features numerous recordings of podcasts, public talks, and speeches given by their founder and CEO, Andrey Dolnikov, at Chaos Group and Adobe conferences.

Binyan Studios has undertaken world-class projects for clients such as Emaar, SOM, Zaha Hadid Architects, and OMNIYAT.

10. Omegarender

Including Omegarender Studio in its list of the best 3D architectural visualization companies may seem unusual to the reader. But we are among the best in archiviz and 3D design studios.

At the inception of our enterprise, we outlined our mission: to achieve unmatched photorealism, perfect even the tiniest details, and create scenes and 3D rendering for marketing with an ideal and eye-catching atmosphere. Omegarender is the go-to studio for clients needing specialists who look up to the best artists in the industry and know how to deliver quality and luxury 3d rendering within the shortest deadlines.

Over the years, our company has grown from three people to 150+ employees, and we have established a strong presence in the global architecture and design market. Our clients include Gensler, Perkins & Will, Perkins Eastman, Zaha Hadid Architects, Neom, Som, HOK, Emaar, OBMI, and many others, totaling 345 clients who utilized our services in 2023.

1. Ronen Bekerman

With a career spanning over 20 years, he is not only a 3D Artist but also a crucial industry influencer. Ronen Bekerman has a website where anyone can show off their arcviz projects and get a good promotion. By the way, Omegarender Studio has its portfolio on its site, which you can see here. Ronen Bekerman's website serves as both an architectural visualization hub and a personal blog, where he shares detailed observation articles about new trends and technologies in the field.

2. Peter Guthrie

Peter Guthrie is a co-founder of The Boundary (one of the studios in our list of top 3D rendering companies) and is known for his exceptional skills in creating realistic architectural visualizations. His work often includes intricate details and a keen sense of lighting. In his interview with Dezeen in 2013, he admitted that his style is closer to architectural photography, and he always tries to make “atmospheric, memorable images but without using too many post-production tricks.”

3. Bertrand Benoit

“Real but not real”. It is a slogan written on Bertrand Benoit’s portfolio website. A high level of photorealism, attention to detail, and a strong focus on lighting and composition characterize his work. Unlike many of his colleagues in the field, he wasn't trained as an architect. Instead, Bertrand Benoit entered the visualization field through photography approximately four years ago.

How do you choose a contractor for your project?

The top studios in their field stand out not only due to their expertise and the quality of their images but also through a competent client-oriented approach. Here are some tips to assist you in selecting a 3D rendering firm:

1. Consider the studio’s portfolio of architectural projects.
2. Seek out client reviews.
3. Ensure that the company provides adequate legal guarantees.
4. Compare the 3D rendering price lists of two studios offering a similar level of image quality.
5. Verify that your project goals align with the services listed by the studio.

You can find many more tips and lifehacks on choosing a studio among the best architectural rendering companies for your project in our article How to Outsource 3D Visualization.

We recognize that numerous studios deserve a place on the list of the best 3D rendering companies. Omegarender holds all architectural rendering companies that share our vision and values in creating stunning 3D designs in high regard. Our commitment to learning from competitors in the field is a testament to our recognition of their capabilities.

‍Interested in obtaining a project estimate and receiving the budget for 3D rendering? Feel free to reach out, and we'll provide you with a clear breakdown of pricing and deadlines.