Architectural Visualization Switzerland

What is an architectural visualization?

An architectural visualization is a photoreal three-dimensional representation of a planned construction project, generated from the architect’s CAD or BIM data. It translates plans, sections and elevations into images, animations or interactive tours — showing how the building will later look and feel. Architects use it for design communication, real estate developers for marketing, building owners for permit applications and investor presentations, municipalities for public information.

In Switzerland, architectural visualization has become a standard tool because it clears up misunderstandings early, accelerates sales and leasing processes and makes complex planning decisions tangible for everyone involved. ArchVisual produces these visualizations as a specialist studio under Archify AG in Bern — focused exclusively on visual execution, not CAD planning or construction management.

Who is architectural visualization relevant for?

Architecture firms

For competition entries, presentations to clients, design communication and portfolio visuals that express the firm’s identity.

Real estate developers

For brochures, landing pages, print media and investor presentations before construction. Sales and leasing start months earlier.

Building owners

For permit applications where Swiss authorities expect a legible integration into the existing context.

Municipalities & public sector

For participation procedures, information events and media work on urban development projects.

Our architectural visualization services

We cover the full spectrum, from classic single-image visualization to interactive 360-degree tours. Every discipline has its own visual language, but all are produced in the same studio and based on the same 3D master model of your project.

01.
Exterior visualization — photoreal exteriors with topography, vegetation and context. Day, dusk or night mood, from CHF 490 per image.
02.
Interior visualization — interior staging with materials, furniture and lighting. Kitchens, living rooms, lobbies, offices, hotels, from CHF 390 per image.
03.
3D animation — moving architecture as a camera path through or around a project. Full HD or 4K, ideal for social media, websites and trade fairs.
04.
360-degree tours — interactive panoramic tours that prospects can explore directly in the browser or real estate portal.
05.
3D floor plan — furnished three-dimensional floor plan for better spatial orientation in brochures and on real estate portals.
06.
Product visualization — product and furniture renderings for manufacturers, resellers and e-commerce, complementing photography.

Photoreal architectural rendering

Photorealism is not a style, it is a quality promise: light behaves physically correctly, materials react to reflection and roughness like in reality, vegetation and people sit in scale in the scene. We work with Physically Based Rendering (PBR), HDRI lighting and Global Illumination — the same techniques used in product photography and film.

The difference between an average and a professional architectural rendering rarely lies in the software, but in the craft: image composition, lighting, material depth, post-production. That is precisely our specialisation.

Our three-step workflow

Step 01

Briefing & Grey Stage

We review your CAD/BIM data, clarify framing and perspective and deliver a Grey Stage draft without materials for approval.

Step 02

Materials & light

Surfaces, colours, time of day and mood are defined. You receive a material check for approval.

Step 03

Final rendering

High-resolution final compute, post-production, retouching. Delivery as 4K file with full usage rights transfer.

Transparent packages & pricing

Unlike classic hourly billing we offer four clearly calculable packages: Interior from CHF 390, Exterior from CHF 490, Combi (exterior + interior) and Combi Pro for large projects with multiple views. Details, included services and usage rights on the pricing table.

Why ArchVisual?

Specialisation

We only do 3D visualization. Our sister company archify.ch covers CAD planning and permit work.

Swiss Quality

Studio in Bern, communication in DE/FR/EN, familiarity with SIA standards and Swiss authority expectations.

Transparency

Fixed-price packages, clear revision rounds, no hidden hours. You know before the project starts what you get.

Frequently asked questions

What is architectural visualization?

Architectural visualization is a photoreal 3D rendering of a planned construction project. It translates an architect's 2D plans into understandable images showing materials, light and atmosphere, before the first ground is broken.

How much does an architectural visualization cost in Switzerland?

At ArchVisual, interior visuals start from CHF 390 and exterior visuals from CHF 490 per image. Price depends on project complexity, image count, material detail level and revision count. A fixed quote is given after reviewing your files.

How long does an architectural visualization take?

For a standard project (one to three exterior or interior views), count ten to fourteen business days from briefing to final delivery, including Grey Stage sign-off and two revision loops.

Which data do you need from the architect?

We work with all common formats: DWG, IFC, SKP, ArchiCAD, Revit, plus PDF plans. Site photos and a moodboard help but are not mandatory. We confirm the exact file list after the initial briefing.

What is the difference between interior and exterior visualization?

Exterior visualization shows the building envelope with its surroundings (topography, vegetation, neighbours). Interior visualization stages rooms with materials, furniture and lighting mood. Both share the same 3D base model but need different art direction.

What is the difference between rendering and visualization?

Rendering is the technical process of computing an image from a 3D model. Visualization is the full end result, including post-production, retouching, mood and storytelling. An architectural visualization always contains a rendering as an intermediate step.

What resolution are the final images delivered at?

Standard resolution is 3840 × 2160 pixels (4K UHD). On request we deliver up to 8K format for billboards, large-format prints or trade fair stands.

How many revision rounds are included?

Two revision loops are included by default in our packages: one after Grey Stage approval (perspective, framing, proportions), one after materials and lighting. Additional loops are billed at CHF 120 per hour.