Kitchen Renovation

Software / Tools / Machines

• AutoCAD

• Blender

• Foyr Neo

 

The Process

For this project, I brainstormed, designed, iterated, and created a kitchen renovation floor plan. The design satisfied the client's requirements while also being of high quality and efficiency. The kitchen was also completely remodelled and provides a pitch to inspire the design. As such, the client’s requirements were as follows:

• A brighter kitchen

• A better layout 

• Modern appliances

• New flooring

• Updated plumbing and light fixtures

• Extra seating

• Beneficially, the client would make use of a 3d view of the final proposed design.

 

Logically, I did research and reflected on a design based on sketched. Then, I started by designing a floor plan through AutoCAD. This floor plan also placed tentative appliances. Then I moved onto making 3D renders and conceptualizations. I originally, wanted to try doing the comfortable option of using the tools I always had been. However, I decided in trying something new. While I was learning Blender and did end up doing some modelling for the final project. I was in no way equipped to do a composite, texture, render, and model the entire kitchen and its appliances on the Blender. This is when I decided to use Foyr Neo rendering and compositing solution. I used its complex models such as its kitchen appliances and created custom models I needed to fit my floor plan design in Blender — such as the chairs and island counter. Understanding some compositing and rendering terminology from Blender, I was able to create produce adequate 3d views of my floor plans and kitchen renovation. This included different times of day that the kitchen could be subject under.

 

Enjoyment

As my first project of serious modelling and photorealism, I was extremely captivated from producing appealing images from my designs and ideas. I really liked exploring photorealism as a whole and learning its techniques to achieve better results. Particularly, I liked working with lighting in this project, and how it can drastically change the impact and message of the design.

 

Lessons learned 

I also found it interested to find out the extent of computing power required to produce renders, and more particularly, photorealistic renders. I learned a lot about modelling and the mindset required to turn ideas into computer conceptualizations. Likewise, I equally learned how it's possible to outsource to a variety of different solutions that are aimed to do certain tasks, which can result in much better final products. However, the more products I used, the less control I had of my design at each step, so I also understood the power of doing everything in one powerful software. Using simple software like TinkerCAD also greatly limited my ability to bring any of my ideas to life. I learned that complex software can be beneficial to incorporate in some cases, as they can result in products that would be impossible in others. 

 

What I would change if I started over 

If I started from the very beginning, I would likely change the kitchen layout that I picked. Rather than utilizing a kitchen island —which efficiently uses space better— I would like to see what is possible if I tried a U-shaped or L-shaped kitchen. Not only would this yield a much more different design, It would also yield a difference in the appliances and where they are placed. Some items like a pantry or more cabinets are limited with my design. More storage could exist if I tried a different design style from my floor plan.