Bay View Project

This project represents one of our latest undertakings, which focuses on showcasing a prime plot of land in Larne, Northern Ireland. The site comes with planning permission for two dwellings, complete with a private driveway and spacious landscaped areas, making it an attractive opportunity for potential buyers. The property is situated in a picturesque location, offering breath-taking views across the bay, and this aspect was one of the key elements of the brief that we had to highlight in our visual representation. 

I was approached by my client to provide Computer-Generated Images (CGIs) for the project. During our initial discussion, the client expressed frustration with a previous supplier who had delivered work that did not fully meet the design brief. The supplier had failed to capture the essence of the project, especially the breath-taking views and the relaxed ambiance that the client envisioned for the interior and exterior spaces. We discussed the scope of the work, likely pricing, and the adjustments the client hoped to see.  

Although my client ultimately decided to continue working with the original provider due to contractual reasons, I found the project to be particularly compelling. It offered a unique challenge, and I couldn't resist the urge to contribute. With some spare time between projects, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create a full 3D model of the entire site, including the surrounding area and the natural topography. I began building the houses from scratch, using only 2D PDFs as my reference material. 

In the process, I made several design changes. I added a bespoke interior layout and an expansive outdoor patio area, which featured an infinity hot tub. While these changes were not part of the original brief, I felt they would enhance the overall appeal of the property and better showcase its potential. This was an opportunity to push the creative boundaries of the project and demonstrate how these spaces could look if fully realized. The core of the brief, however, was to effectively convey the amazing views across the bay and to create a relaxing atmosphere within the interior and exterior spaces.  

The views were one of the most important selling points of the site, and I wanted to ensure that they were front and centre in the final representation. In addition to the CGIs, I decided to take the project a step further by producing a video. This was not part of the original brief, but I felt strongly that a video would bring the project to life in a way that 2D still images simply could not. The video allowed me to showcase the stunning views across the bay in motion, adding depth and context to the space. It also gave potential buyers a better sense of how the property would feel to live in. The video helped convey the relaxed and luxurious atmosphere of the space far more effectively than static images could.  

The response from my client upon viewing the completed video was overwhelmingly positive. They commented, “That is truly amazing, you’ve put a lot of work into it. I’m just sorry I didn’t pursue the job with you. I like the sound effects and the fact that you were able to create a drone view effect without having visited the site.” This feedback was incredibly rewarding and reaffirmed my belief in the importance of visualizing a project as fully as possible to convey its true potential. Subsequent to the video, we also created a number of 2D CGIs that provided a comprehensive visual overview of the plot. These included photorealistic views of the houses in situ, as if they had already been constructed.  

This technique has proven to be particularly effective in both planning and post-planning stages, as it offers a clear understanding of the scale of the buildings, the impact on the surrounding environment, and the impressive views they will command. By giving stakeholders, a realistic sense of how the property will look once developed, we can ensure that they make more informed decisions. Overall, this project has been a great success and has demonstrated the power of well-executed visualizations in bringing a concept to life. Whether using CGIs, video, or both, the goal is always to communicate the essence of the space and allow people to truly imagine themselves in it. The positive feedback received throughout the process, especially from my client, reinforced the importance of going beyond the brief to create something truly special. 

 Enjoy. 

https://youtu.be/xRbhpZiYW3s