Embedded in RPBW’s name is “workshop”. It is a notion that defines our ideal place of work not as a traditional office but rather a “bottega”. It is a place for research, experimentation, collaboration, with an eye on developing and refining meaningful ways of building. Ultimately, it is a place for innovation.
As the tools available to architects evolve, we are continuously testing new solutions and evolving our processes without losing our ethos and without discarding older ways of working.
Visualization is at the forefront of this approach and we seek to employ virtual tools as complementary to the architect’s more traditional techniques such as physical models and hand drawing. We see it as a craft, an experimental and considered approach that places the visualization team at the heart of the projects and working in close collaboration with the architects.
Imagery and rendered representation is core to developing the atmosphere or the “soul” of a project, working with real time render engines, VR representations and creating fluid links with live BIM models enables the team to work through design iterations and materials options in a manner that is both efficient and explorative.
The craft process that characterizes the works undertaken in the bottega, is profoundly associated with the themes that constitute RPBW’s lines of enquiry: light, materiality, construction assemblies, and creating places that enhance human well being. A considered approach to imagery is central to enriching the design process and ensuring quality of the built works.
“This exploratory visualization process is an evolution of our working method that integrates with our other techniques including model making and hand drawing. Visualization helps us even more in the verification of design, ensuring the quality of the project, and with client and public communications.”