D5 Masterclass

In this introductory chapter, Camila Mina from Bjarke Ingels Group provides an overview of the workshop and introduces the themes that will be explored. Drawing on her experience at BIG, and her particular interest in architectural visualisation, storytelling, and emerging AI-driven workflows, Camila outlines how architects can transform early-stage design concepts into compelling visual narratives using real-time rendering tools and computational design techniques.

This chapter serves as an introduction to the workshop and covers the practical setup required to get started. Participants will learn how to download and install D5 Render, review system requirements, understand licensing options, and establish a Rhino Live Sync workflow. By the end of the session, they will be familiar with the course structure, learning objectives, and the tools needed to follow along with the chapters ahead

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In this chapter, Camila Mina demonstrates how to prepare architectural models for efficient real-time rendering workflows in D5. Using BIG's Treehotel project in Sweden as a case study, participants learn how to organise Rhino files, structure layers, assign materials, and optimise geometry before establishing a D5 Live Sync connection. The chapter introduces practical techniques for maintaining clean, editable models that translate seamlessly between Rhino and D5, helping to streamline the visualisation process from the outset.

The chapter explores D5's context and terrain generation tools. Participants learn how to generate site context using geospatial data, create realistic landscapes, work with terrain presets, and integrate environmental surroundings into their projects. Camila also demonstrates how AI-enhanced context generation, aerial visualisation workflows, and post-production tools can be used to rapidly create convincing environments that strengthen architectural storytelling and project communication.

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In this third chapter, Camila Mina focuses on the key elements that bring architectural visualisations to life. Using BIG's Treehotel project, participants explore camera composition, cinematic perspectives, depth of field, focal lengths, and scene management to create atmosphere and guide visual storytelling.

The chapter covers materials, assets, vegetation, and AI-powered workflows in D5 Render. Participants learn how to populate scenes with people, furniture, plants, and environmental elements, create and customise materials, generate textures with AI, and use AI-generated 3D models to enrich their projects. Together, these tools help build more immersive, believable environments that communicate design intent and emotion.

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In this chapter, Camila Mina explores how lighting and atmosphere shape the final visual experience of an architectural project. Participants learn how to work with natural daylight systems, HDRI environments, atmospheric effects, and artificial lighting to create a wide range of moods and visual narratives. Using BIG's Treehotel project as a case study, Camila demonstrates how to balance sunlight, environmental conditions, interior lighting, and post-processing controls to develop compelling architectural imagery that communicates both design intent and emotion.

The chapter also introduces advanced visualisation workflows including section perspectives, scene refinement, animation, and AI-assisted tools. Participants learn how to create sectional visualisations directly within D5, animate people, wildlife, vegetation, and environmental effects, and optimise scenes for presentation. The chapter concludes with an exploration of D5's latest AI features, including AI-generated materials, atmosphere matching, intelligent planting systems, and AI Agent tools that streamline visualisation workflows and accelerate creative decision-making.

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In this chapter, Camila Mina explores the final stages of the architectural visualisation workflow, demonstrating how to transform rendered outputs into polished presentation images. Participants learn how to export high-quality renders from D5, configure image channels for post-production, manage render queues, and prepare images for professional presentation across print, digital, and social media formats.

The chapter then moves into advanced post-production workflows using both D5 Render and Photoshop. Camila demonstrates how to use AI-powered image enhancement, style transfer, inpainting, and upscaling tools to rapidly refine visualisations. Participants learn how to organise render passes, work with smart objects, utilise depth and masking channels, and combine multiple render outputs into a single composition. The chapter concludes with practical techniques for colour grading, atmosphere creation, image compositing, Photoshop AI tools, and visual composition principles that help create compelling architectural imagery and stronger visual storytelling.

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In this chapter, Camila Mina introduces the process for creating architectural animations and cinematic presentations using D5 Render. Participants learn how to navigate the video generation interface, structure animation timelines, build shot sequences, and develop visual narratives that communicate design intent through movement and storytelling. The chapter explores camera animation techniques, clip management, transitions, animation templates, and keyframe-based workflows for creating smooth and engaging architectural films.

Building on the visualisation skills developed throughout the workshop, participants learn how to animate cameras, people, objects, and environmental assets to bring scenes to life. Camila demonstrates how to create dynamic lighting changes, moving shadows, wind effects, atmospheric fog, animated vegetation, and object-based animation sequences. The chapter also covers importing and exporting animated models from Rhino, creating exploded and assembly diagrams through animation templates, configuring video export settings, and integrating AI-powered video generation tools such as Runway to transform still renders into animated visual content. Together, these techniques provide a comprehensive workflow for producing professional architectural animations that combine storytelling, atmosphere, and motion.

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In this final chapter, Camila Mina shares a curated collection of resources, tools, and reference libraries used throughout her visualisation workflow at BIG. The chapter concludes with a recap of the key lessons covered throughout the workshop, reflecting on how visualisation, storytelling, animation, rendering, and AI workflows can be combined to create more compelling architectural narratives. Camila encourages participants to continue experimenting with emerging tools and technologies, using the workshop as a foundation for developing their own visualisation workflows and creative processes.