The workflow of a good architect is greatly determined by three stages: designing a project, visualizing all the details, and creating a model of the final design. Three words should be part of the motto of every architect who wants to become an experienced professional: Design, Visualize, and Create.

To create a real and stunning work of art, an architect must first visualize the form of what he's about to create. The architect’s workflow is rarely covered in any standard and traditional form of education, yet it's the most important element of any project.

There are different elements and factors that need to be combined to create a workflow that will guarantee the desired result. Organization, communication, and collaboration, together with the process outlined above, should make up the workflow of a successful architect.

Before architects can approach a project, they need to understand the idea behind the project. The evolution of the working process took its natural course. It's closely related to the advancement of modern technology which gives more means and resources to the architects to organize their time much better than before.

The Early Stage of a Workflow

In the early stage of a workflow, it's essential to establish the main goals of a project. Professionals and specialists usually use this stage to gather as much information about a project as they possibly can. It's also a stage where the essential decisions are made. Each information and decision are equally important for the final result and, of course, no one wants their project to fail.

Architecture is an exact science and there's no room for mistakes. Due to the complexity of its nature, architects usually collaborate with other team members working on the same projects such as engineers and other specialists. The design is considered to be the earliest stage in the workflow of architects, mostly because that's where they make decisions about the recommended approach.

Based on the performance, the feedback helps them to keep pace with design changes that happen very frequently until the design reaches its final form. Such a division of workflow brings significant benefits to the architects. It also enables them to apply any necessary changes without disrupting the entire project.

The first stage of the workflow leads to the second stage, where an architect starts visualizing the already-made design in terms of performance goals such as energy cost, daylight, comfort, and other criteria. Also, in this first or early stage, an architect explores facade design, program layout, building form, and the like. It's also the stage where early models are created.

Visualization as the Second Workflow Stage

The second stage of a workflow is where an architect decides between what's possible and what a client wants. Visualization is crucial to the success of the entire project. It's the stage where an architect has to think about all the elements needed to complete the project and it further determines the course of possible actions that they need to take.

Today, it's possible to do amazing things with visualization thanks to the advanced software technology. With such software built specifically for architects, professionals and specialists got an extremely useful tool that helps them optimize their workflow and get the finest results.

Such software can help you bring your design to life by adding compelling effects, foliage, objects, lighting, materials, and environment through an impressive visualization. Such possibilities give you a full picture of where you currently stand with your project, allowing you to plan the next move, staying on or even ahead of your schedule.

With almost instantaneous rendering and editing, adding artistic and conceptual aspects to your entire workflow is easy. The best thing about these tools is that they allow you to create big visualizations. This instantly gives you a full picture of everything that you need to change or add, making things much easier.

Therefore, it's absolutely safe to assume that visualization gives a full perspective of the final form of the project to both the architect and the client. Design, followed closely by visualization are the essential steps that lead to a well-executed project.

The Final Stage - To Create

After the first two stages, the only thing left is to finish what you started. You already have all the necessary details, the wanted design, and a detailed visualization of how it will all look in real life. Now you can start creating a 3D model to get a full picture of the project.

Creating a 3D model puts all other team members on the same page. It's a way to remove any obstacles that might get in the way before the project reaches its final stage of realization. It's a stage where you actually create an object based on design and visualization, which were both shaped by the demands of your client. Even after this stage, it doesn't necessarily mean that the project is over.

Usually, more than one model is created to see how it blends with the variations proposed by the client and the rest of the team. If everything goes smoothly and by the book, a project is allowed to enter the stage where it's actually being built in real life. Being an architect today has numerous advantages over being one twenty years ago. This is simply because of the affordable and widely accessible advanced technology we now have.

The truth is, the success of a project greatly depends on the workflow of an architect. If you have these three distinct stages in your workflow, you'll ensure that the project is completed quickly and smoothly. This type of workflow has been implemented by many big architecture firms that have designed and built amazing structures. Follow this pattern and you can expect great success.