3D Visualization of Student Housing Project: A Detailed Workflow

Client’s Vision & Objectives

Verto Homes approached us with a clear mission: to create a comprehensive package of visual materials for Halo Village — the UK’s first net-zero carbon student campus.

The client’s goals were multifaceted:

• Vividly visualize the scale and social concept of the campus
  
• Support planning approval processes with local authorities
  
• Produce renders suitable for marketing campaigns and investor presentations
  

The final visuals were intended for diverse uses, including planning submissions, investor decks, the project website, press releases, and social media channels.

A specific aesthetic vision shaped the project: a minimalist Scandinavian style featuring wooden materials over metal, emphasizing simplicity, naturalness, and modernity, with abundant greenery integrated throughout the environment.

Technically, the project presented challenges: the starting point was an early-stage SketchUp and CAD model, which required a complete remodel and optimization for use in Unreal Engine. The scope covered both commercial and residential buildings, with a tight deadline to deliver high-quality static images and animation referencing work from a previous contractor.

Our Approach & Workflow

Upon receiving the initial SketchUp model from Verto Homes, our first step was a complete remodel and optimization to meet the technical requirements of Unreal Engine. The Lead Visualizer developed detailed remodeling guidelines, enabling our team to prepare 12 unique buildings — from apartment blocks to townhouses and community facilities. The process was divided into clear stages to maintain quality control and avoid unnecessary rework under a tight delivery schedule.

Moodboard & References

We began with research into modern PBSA developments in the UK, eco-friendly campus designs, and student housing examples. The moodboard was built around three core themes: eco-consciousness, community, and spaciousness. We agreed on a morning/daytime lighting scenario that emphasized comfort and abundant greenery. In parallel, the Lead Visualizer created a storyboard for the fly-through animation based on the masterplan, ensuring all key areas of the complex were covered.

“We wanted to capture not only the form of the buildings but also the social essence of the campus — every moodboard decision was aimed at conveying a sense of shared life in a natural environment.” — Lead Visualizer, PIXREADY

3D Modeling

Source materials included the client’s SketchUp model, CAD drawings, and PDFs. We optimized the geometry, reconstructed key buildings, and adapted terrain and landscaping according to the masterplan, all while meeting Unreal Engine’s technical requirements. Around 12 unique building types were created, with careful attention to scale and the functional logic of the masterplan. The main challenge was combining diverse architectural volumes into a single, fully optimized scene capable of delivering a high-quality 70-second animation.

Lighting Setup

Lighting was configured to reflect the desired atmosphere — soft daytime light with selected scenes at golden hour. This approach highlighted the architectural value of the project, emphasized focal points, and added depth to the frames. Lighting also played a narrative role, encouraging a sense of vibrant campus life, with subtle enhancements for commercial facades to make them stand out in the overall composition.

Rendering & Camera Setup

The client had no fixed camera angle requirements, so we proposed nine exterior perspectives. Each was designed to showcase the scale, functionality, and daily life within the student community. Angles were approved through two rounds of feedback, focusing on composition and the number of objects in the scene. For the animation, camera paths were planned to cover all key social and service zones of the campus.

Post-Processing & Enhancements

We aimed to create as much as possible directly within the 3D software — from greenery and street furniture to people and transport — to ensure flexibility in generating alternative views without repeating the rendering process. Post-processing was kept minimal, limited to fine-tuning contrast, balancing tones, and preparing separate files in formats suitable for print, web, and video.

Client Feedback & Revisions

The first animation draft and set of stills received positive feedback. The client requested greater emphasis on commercial areas and adjustments to transportation and crowd density. After the second round of revisions, all visuals were approved. Clear project stages, structured guidelines, and proactive collaboration between Verto Homes and our internal team helped us stay efficient and deliver the full package within the target timeline.

“A clear structure and prompt feedback from Verto allowed us to maintain speed without compromising quality. This was a project where technical discipline and artistic vision worked hand in hand.” — Project Manager, PIXREADY

Result

The visuals provided Verto Homes with a strong visual foundation for investor presentations, clearly conveying the project’s scale, functionality, and net-zero sustainability concept. Both the animation and still renders became central to the developer’s marketing campaign, featured on the project website, across social media channels, and in press materials — generating significant interest in Halo Village well before construction began.

The final delivery included:

• 9 high-quality exterior renderings showcasing the scale, architecture, and landscaping of Halo Village
  
• A 70-second cinematic fly-through animation capturing the campus atmosphere and key functional zones
  

Team Insights

“This was a socially significant project with equally fascinating architecture. At first, the scale was intimidating, but as we progressed, we became fully engaged by the variety of challenges it presented.”
— Lead Visualizer, PIXREADY

Client Testimonial

“I’ve been doing this a long time, and the PIXREADY team is very much at the top of the game. You guys keep creating beautiful animations and renders, and I’ll keep sending you projects.”
— Co-founder, Verto Homes