Architecture and retail visualization
Architecture and retail visualization turns a space into a photoreal 3D model before it is built, from boutiques and flagships to show and event sets. The New Face builds these in Unreal Engine 5, including set-design visualization for Emilio Pucci, La Mode en Images and other brands and events agencies.
How it works
From plans, CAD, or BIM to 3D
We import architectural drawings, CAD, or BIM models and rebuild the space as a real-time 3D scene in Unreal Engine 5, with accurate proportions, so the model matches what will actually be built.
Photoreal materials and light
We apply real finishes, materials, and lighting, so stone, wood, glass, and brand fixtures read true to life, and daylight and evening scenes can be compared before anything is ordered.
Real-time walkthrough and review
Stakeholders move through the space in real time and switch finishes, layouts, or time of day on the spot. For a show or event, they can test camera positions, guest flow, and sightlines before any structure is built.
Delivery in VR, web, or film
We deliver the same scene as a Meta Quest VR walkthrough, a browser experience streamed via NVIDIA GDN, or a rendered film for approvals, so every stakeholder can review it in the right format.
FAQ
What is architecture and retail visualization?
Architecture and retail visualization is the practice of turning plans for a space into a photoreal 3D model that stakeholders can see and explore before it is built. It shows real proportions, materials, and lighting, so a boutique, flagship, event space, or show set can be reviewed and refined on screen rather than only on paper or after construction.
Does visualizing a space before it is built reduce cost and rework?
Yes. Reviewing a space in accurate 3D before construction lets teams catch design, layout, and sightline issues while they are still cheap to change, on screen rather than on site or on the night of a show. The effect is documented at industry level: McKinsey found that digital transformation in construction can raise productivity by 14 to 15 percent and cut costs by 4 to 6 percent. For a flagship fit-out or a one-night set, that means fewer costly changes once build has started.
Can you visualize event and show sets, not just retail spaces?
Yes. The same real-time approach covers boutiques and flagships as well as runway, event, and stage sets. For a show, we model the set in context so the team can test camera positions, guest flow, and sightlines, and sign off the creative before any structure is built. The New Face is building set-design visualization for Chanel at the Grand Palais.
How much does architecture and retail visualization cost, and how long does it take?
Most projects at The New Face fall in the €25,000 to €60,000 range and take 4 to 8 weeks, driven by the size of the space, material complexity, and whether you need a real-time walkthrough, VR, or a rendered film. A single boutique or set sits at the lower end; a full flagship or a large show set with several configurations sits higher.
Can you work from our existing CAD or BIM files?
Yes. We work directly from architectural drawings, CAD files, or BIM models and rebuild the space as a real-time scene, so the visualization stays faithful to the actual design. If plans are incomplete, we can capture an existing space with 3D Gaussian Splatting and build the new concept on top of the real environment.
What is the difference between real-time visualization and a rendered image?
A rendered image is a single fixed view, produced offline and slow to change. A real-time visualization is a live 3D scene you can move through from any angle, with finishes, lighting, layouts, and camera positions changed on the spot. The render shows one decision; the real-time model lets you make decisions interactively.