- Honourable Mention for Best Render 2015 - 

The ‘Midnight Rendering’ is the product of a design course at the University of Sydney. The main goal of this course was to introduce students to rendering and post-render processing of images. Initially, a model was build by using Rhinoceros in combination with Grasshopper. These rather unconventional programs were used, so students would get more familiar with different types of software programs, and also to create a basic structure to render. After the model was finished, a particular scene was chosen, highlighting the most important aspects of the structure. This not only discussed the angle and placement of the camera, but also the set-up of the light projection. This final scene was rendered using Maxwell, creating a raw image of the chosen design. Lastly, to complete the assignment, Photoshop was used to add elements such as materials, people, vegetation, elements (such as benches) and a colour scheme.

One of the most powerful aspects of this building are the balconies. They have different depths and widths, and appear to be placed in a dynamic or even spontaneous order. To highlight this specific aspect, the camera has been placed at ground level looking up to the highest point of the building, showing the different variations. Continuing on this concept, lights were placed at ground level pointing up, to project light on the ceilings of the balconies above. Not only these specific lights are used to place the focus on the building itself, but also by choosing a night- sky the contrast between foreground and background becomes more predominant. This concept has also been applied to the adjacent buildings: they are part of the background to ensure maximum focus on the center of the image.

Additionally, other concepts have been used to guide the viewer to the most important aspects of the image: the gradient of the picture, which runs from a colder blue tone at the top of the image to a warmer orange tone at the bottom. Therefore the center of the picture becomes a more neutral tone being more pleasant for the eye to observe. Secondly, the edges of the image are slightly darkened, to put more focus on the lights inside the building. Lastly, a pattern made up of squares has been placed over the image to make the viewer unconsciously aware of the sharp-edged character of the building.