Bringing architecture to life through animation is a process that requires meticulous planning, creativity, and technical expertise. In this making-of article, CGI artist and studio founder Maxim Boaghe takes us behind the scenes of Jardins de la Gradelle Apartments, a stunning architectural animation that beautifully blends urban living with nature. Maxim and his team at Axyom.xyz crafted a compelling visual journey through this modern residential complex. Let’s dive into the process and explore the techniques that made this animation possible!
About me.
Hello everyone,
My name is Maxim, and I am the CEO and CGI artist at Axyom.xyz, an architectural visualization studio specializing in high-end 3D renderings and animations. Along with my small team of skilled CGI artists, I collaborate with architects, interior designers, and real estate developers worldwide, creating photorealistic visuals that bring architectural concepts to life.
In this article, I will take you behind the scenes of my latest animation project, Jardins de la Gradelle Apartments, an immersive architectural visualization that many of you have enjoyed.
Concept and Inspiration.
The idea for this project was born from my desire to showcase my skills in architectural animation. I had recently completed a similar project, but due to an NDA, I was unable to share it publicly. This motivated me to work on something new that I could present to the world.
I came across a project that looked very similar to the kind of work I do, and it became my source of inspiration. (Reference: CGArchitect - Jardins de la Gradelle Apartments).
The design is heavily influenced by modern architectural trends—clean lines, large glass facades, and open spaces that seamlessly blend with the surrounding greenery. The main theme of this animation is harmony: the balance between urban living and nature, between privacy and community, and between modernity and timeless design. My goal was to create a visualization that not only highlights architectural features but also evokes a sense of peace and connection with nature.
Pre-Production.
Script and Storyboarding.
The first step in the process was to define the narrative of the animation. I wanted viewers to experience the residential complex as if they were physically present. The animation follows a logical flow:
- It starts with an aerial view showcasing the lush green surroundings.
- It transitions into the open spaces and communal areas.
- It then focuses on the architectural elements of the buildings.
- Finally, it invites the viewer inside to experience the interior spaces.
To plan the animation efficiently, I created a storyboard, mapping out camera angles, transitions, and key focal points to ensure a smooth and engaging visual experience.
Tips & Tricks.
✅ To plan sequences more easily, it's a good idea to choose the melody at this stage. Having the track, you can divide it into logical sequences per bit, and in this case you know exactly how long each sequence will take, you will render exactly as many frames as you need.
✅ To understand motion, I use TyPreview (TyFlow) in clay mode to create the preview. When I'm happy with the previews, I render the first and last frame of each shot and make an animation in AI (RunWay, Luma, Stable Diffusion...) to understand what the animation project looks like.
Design and Modeling.
I built the entire 3D scene using 3ds Max, focusing on clean geometry and modular efficiency. Each building was designed with large windows to maximize natural light, and I carefully crafted the landscape to include lush trees, walkways, and communal gardens.
Tips & Tricks.
✅ When modeling, I always look for repetitive elements and use RailClone or instances to speed up the workflow.
✅ In this project, I applied this technique to elements like floors, windows, and railings—modeling them once and multiplying them across the scene.
Production.
Texturing and Lighting.
To achieve a photorealistic look, I relied on high-quality textures from Quixel and Textures.com. Lighting was a critical aspect of the animation, as I wanted to showcase the project at different times of the day—from the warm glow of sunrise to the cooler tones of dusk. For this, I used FStorm Render, which provided beautiful light behavior and depth.
Tips & Tricks:
To achieve a photorealistic look, I relied on high-quality textures from Quixel and Textures.com. Lighting was a critical aspect of the animation, as I wanted to showcase the project at different times of the day—from the warm glow of sunrise to the cooler tones of dusk. For this, I used FStorm Render, which provided beautiful light behavior and depth.
✅ The key to realistic materials is high-quality textures.
✅ I always add small imperfections (scratches, dirt, roughness variations) to make materials feel more natural.
Animation & Filming.
I used 3ds Max + FStorm Render to create the animation, implementing smooth camera transitions that enhance immersion. The movement was designed to be subtle and cinematic, allowing the viewer to explore the space naturally.
One of the biggest challenges was optimizing the scene for rendering. I used proxy models for distant objects and focused high-detail textures only on elements close to the camera.
For realistic greenery, I utilized Forest Pack and GrowFX, ensuring trees and plants moved naturally in the wind. To bring life into the scene, I added 4D animated people using AnimaXYZ, which helped make the environment feel more dynamic.
Tips & Tricks:
✅ When using Forest Pack, always enable tree animation before rendering—otherwise, they won’t move in the final output!
✅ Using proxy objects for background elements significantly reduces render times without affecting visual quality.
Post-Production.
Once all sequences were rendered, I moved into DaVinci Resolve for editing and compositing. This stage involved:
- Color grading to unify the tones and create the right mood.
- Adding subtle effects to enhance the overall aesthetic.
- Fine-tuning transitions to ensure a seamless flow.
Tips & Tricks:
✅ Just like with lighting and materials, I always use real-world reference images for color grading.
✅ A few well-placed post-processing enhancements can elevate an animation from good to great—without overdoing it!
Lessons Learned.
Working on Jardins de la Gradelle was an exciting journey that reinforced the importance of planning, experimentation, and storytelling. While technical skills are essential, I believe that emotion and atmosphere play an equally important role in architectural visualization.
My Key Takeaways:
✅ Focus on storytelling – A well-structured narrative makes the animation more engaging.
✅ Experiment with lighting and textures – Small tweaks can significantly enhance realism.
✅ Optimize your workflow – Efficient techniques like instancing and proxies save both time and resources.
✅ Leverage AI and modern tools – They can streamline previews and improve productivity.
Conclusion & Video.
Through this project, I wanted to capture the essence of modern urban living—a seamless connection between architecture and nature. The final animation serves as a testament to the power of visualization, demonstrating how digital art can bring architectural concepts to life.
I hope this project inspires other artists and professionals to push the boundaries of architectural visualization. Let me know your thoughts!
🎥 Watch the full animation here: Jardins de la Gradelle Apartments.
Thank you for reading!
Maxim Boaghe.
About the artist
Maxim Boaghe is the founder and lead CGI artist at Axyom.xyz. His studio specializes in high-end architectural visualization, working with architects, designers, and developers to create photorealistic renderings and animations. His passion is crafting immersive digital experiences that bring architecture to life in the most compelling way possible.
