The TOY ARCH (Thesis of the Year Awards) in Thailand celebrates architectural excellence among students. Organized by the Council of Deans of Architecture Schools of Thailand (CDAST) and supported by the Association of Siamese Architects, the competition encourages innovative thinking and outstanding design skills. The 2024 competition honored Athasan Poolpipat and Sorlahuddin Chuaykarn, who credited D5 Render as a key tool in achieving their award-winning results.
To read this article in Thai, please click here.
Introducing the Winners
Athasan Poolpipat
- Field: Interior Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University
- Award-Winning Thesis: The Neighbour Khao Lak Surf Town
- Occupation: Freelance Designer
- Workflow Tools: SketchUp, D5 Render
Athasan’s thesis focuses on revitalizing Khao Lak, a surf town in Thailand, by blending surf culture with the local traditions of the Paranagan community and the Mogan tribes. His designs emphasize creativity, freedom, and cultural integration, which D5 Render helped bring to life with stunning realism.
Sorlahuddin Chuaykarn
- Field: Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna
- Award-Winning Thesis: Bangkok Bird Sounds Therapy
- Occupation: Architect
- Workflow Tools: SketchUp, Rhino, Grasshopper, D5 Render
Sorlahuddin’s thesis explores the coexistence of humans, creatures, and nature through architectural and landscape design. D5 Render allowed him to vividly depict this harmony, merging architectural and natural elements seamlessly.
Challenges and Solutions with D5 Render
Every ambitious thesis comes with its own set of challenges. Athasan found it difficult to place realistic materials across his designs. Sorlahuddin, on the other hand, struggled with large files and the computational strain caused by numerous tree models, effects, and lighting.
D5 Render addressed these issues by offering intuitive tools and features that simplified their workflows. The extensive material library in D5 Render allowed Athasan to add plants, lights, and decorations effortlessly, cutting down rendering time while maintaining quality.
Meanwhile, Sorlahuddin used Layer Grouping to manage performance and selectively toggle layers for smoother rendering. For both, D5 Render proved indispensable in overcoming technical hurdles while enhancing the realism of their designs.
“D5 helped me create a new design ecosystem that integrates architecture and landscape architecture with unmatched realism”
Why D5 Render Was Their Go-To Tool
“D5 pushes design quality to another level with its speed and ease of use”
Athasan and Sorlahuddin both transitioned to D5 Render after experiencing limitations with Lumion. D5 Render offered superior rendering quality, realistic lighting, and an intuitive interface that quickly became their preferred tool.
Athasan noted that D5 eliminated issues he faced with distorted lighting in Lumion, such as unrealistic green and purple tones. Sorlahuddin appreciated D5’s tree models, atmosphere adjustments, and the frequent AI-driven updates that incorporated user feedback to improve assets and functionality.
Discovering and Learning D5 Render
Both Athasan and Sorlahuddin were introduced to D5 Render by seniors at their universities. Their initial learning experiences were supported by YouTube tutorials, which offered comprehensive guidance across multiple languages.
“With just a few hours of learning, I was able to produce high-quality renders,” Athasan noted, praising D5’s intuitive interface and straightforward functionality.
Their quick mastery of the tool speaks volumes about its accessibility, even for beginners.
Features That Made a Difference
For both winners, D5 Render’s standout features included its rich material library, realistic lighting, and natural assets, such as tree models and vegetation. These features were instrumental in creating immersive designs. Sorlahuddin especially valued D5’s AI enhancements, which saved time and improved the quality of his renders, while Athasan praised its tools for easy material placement, object grouping, and precise axis movement.
Transforming Design Approaches
Using D5 Render transformed how they approached their projects. Athasan found that the software consistently exceeded his expectations, impressing professors and clients alike. Sorlahuddin integrated D5 into all aspects of his design workflow, spanning architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture. For both, D5 Render inspired new ideas and streamlined their creative processes.
Looking Ahead
Athasan dreams of starting his own design firm and sees D5 Render as a cornerstone of his future workflow. Sorlahuddin plans to continue his career as an architect, relying on D5 to maintain the high quality of his projects. Both winners highlighted D5’s ability to adapt to professional needs, making it a valuable tool beyond academic use.
Final Reflections
Both Athasan and Sorlahuddin praised D5 Render for its commitment to user feedback and innovation. They expressed gratitude for its intuitive tools and realistic outputs, which helped them achieve their goals and inspired others to explore the software.
“D5 Render is an invaluable tool for both students and professionals, transforming the way we visualize designs and bring ideas to life,” Athasan concluded.
For students, D5 Render offers a gateway to creativity and efficiency. For educators, it provides a teaching tool that fosters innovation and high-quality work. Start exploring D5 Render today and see how it can redefine your approach to architectural visualization.
Whether you’re a student aiming for excellence or a lecturer seeking to enhance your curriculum, D5 Render offers a powerful platform to elevate your work.
Start exploring today and unlock a new level of creativity in architectural visualization. Apply now for a free D5 Educational License and empower your journey in any competition.
