3D Modeling Services San Francisco | Precision Visualization for Architects & Developers
See Your Space in 3D Before You Build. Precision 3D Modeling Services for SF Homeowners & Developers.
Let’s be honest: building in San Francisco isn’t like building anywhere else. Between the steep topography that makes simple foundations a nightmare, the strict Residential Design Guidelines, and construction costs that are easily the highest in the country, you don’t have room for “guesstimates.”
We are a design-only architecture firm specializing in remote 3D modeling that bridges the gap between a 2D drawing and a finished permit. We don’t drive out to the site to measure windows; we take your survey data, your CAD files, and your sketches, and we turn them into digital realities that satisfy both the SF Planning Department and your most demanding clients.
Whether you are retrofitting a Victorian in the Mission or proposing a modern infill in SoMa, our 3D models provide the foundation you need to visualize accurately, plan construction effectively, and avoid the dreaded “change order” conversation later down the line.
Follwing your Choice
Precision Modeling for San Francisco’s Unique Landscape
Building in San Francisco is unforgiving. With record-high construction costs and strict zoning, there is simply no room for “guesstimates.” Traditional 2D blueprints often fail to communicate the technical realities of a steep hillside site or a complex retrofit.
We bridge that gap. As a specialized, design-only firm, we strip away the overhead of physical site management to focus entirely on digital precision. We don’t drive to sites; we ingest your survey and CAD data to build accurate “digital rehearsals” of your project.
Our approach is deeply context-aware. We understand that a project in the fog-laden Sunset needs different lighting than a sunny Mission loft. We catch design conflicts virtually, before you break ground ensuring that what you approve is exactly what you build. This isn’t just visualization; it’s risk management.
Driven by Creativity
Why San Francisco Architects Partner With Us
In a market as demanding as San Francisco, “good enough” doesn’t get permits approved or win over high-end clients. We distinguish ourselves through an obsession with technical accuracy and architectural integrity.
Unlike generalist drafters who might gloss over complex grade changes or period-specific detailing, we build models that respect the engineering reality of your site. Our specialized, design-only focus allows us to dedicate absolute attention to the nuances of your project—ensuring that the digital model you see on screen matches the physical reality you intend to build. We don’t just deliver images; we deliver confidence, clarity, and a level of detail that stands up to the scrutiny of city planners and discerning developers alike.
Mastery of San Francisco Topography
San Francisco isn't flat, and your models shouldn't act like it is. We specialize in complex terrain modeling, accurately mapping your building onto steep grades, retaining walls, and hillside lots. We use your survey data to ensure the digital ground line matches reality, preventing expensive surprises when excavation begins.
Zero-Hallucination Accuracy
We don’t "fill in the blanks" with guesses. We adhere strictly to your CAD files, plans, and survey points. If a dimension is missing, we flag it rather than faking it. This discipline ensures that our models are technically reliable assets for construction planning, not just pretty marketing pictures.
Architectural Fluency (Victorian to Modern)
We understand the visual language of the Bay Area. Whether it’s the intricate corbels of a Haight-Ashbury Victorian or the clean lines of a SoMa loft, we get the details right. You won't have to waste time explaining the difference between "stick style" and "contemporary" to us; we model with architectural literacy.
True-to-Life Lighting & Atmosphere
Light behaves differently here. A north-facing room in the Richmond District has a different quality of light than a south-facing deck in the Mission. We simulate accurate solar angles and local atmospheric conditions (including that famous diffusion of fog), giving your clients a realistic expectation of how their space will feel.
Cost-Saving Clash Detection
Because we model with high precision, we often spot conflicts before you do. We identify where structural beams might hit HVAC lines or where window alignments don't match the floor plan. Catching these issues in the 3D phase saves you thousands of dollars in "change orders" once construction starts.
High-End Material Fidelity
We don't use generic textures. We build custom material libraries that match real-world specifications. If you specify a particular reclaimed wood or a specific stucco finish, we ensure the digital texture reflects the grain, bump, and reflectivity of the actual product.
Rapid, Focused Turnaround
Because we are a "design-only" firm, we aren't distracted by site meetings or permitting bureaucracy. Our entire workflow is optimized for production speed. We can often turn around revisions or new angles faster than full-service firms that are juggling multiple onsite responsibilities.
White-Label Confidentiality
We function as a seamless extension of your team. We respect your client relationships and offer complete white-label services. Many of our architect clients present our work as their own in-house production, and we are perfectly happy staying in the background to support your brand.
Tailored for your vision
Specialized 3D Modeling Solutions
We don’t just “make things look 3D.” We build technical assets. Our modeling process supports architects, product designers, and developers who require precise digital representations for manufacturing, visualization, or client presentation.
01.
Architectural Exterior Visualization
San Francisco zoning often requires you to show how your building fits with the neighbors. We specialize in “context-aware” modeling. We don’t just model your building; we can model the adjacent structures (the “block face”) to prove your proposal respects the existing neighborhood character. This is often the key to passing Design Review or calming nervous HOAs in historic districts.
02.
Photorealistic Interior Staging
Selling a vision in a city where square footage is tight requires more than a floor plan. We create photorealistic interior models that handle complex lighting—crucial for San Francisco homes where light wells and narrow lot lines can make spaces feel dark if not modeled correctly. We show exactly how natural light will hit that kitchen island or how a skylight will transform a hallway.
03.
Solar Analysis & Shadow Studies
The Planning Department takes shadows seriously (especially regarding Section 295 and public parks). We generate accurate solar studies that show exactly where shadows fall at different times of the year (Winter Solstice vs. Summer Solstice). These technical models are essential for neighbor notifications and proving that your addition won’t steal someone’s sunlight.
04.
Complex Terrain & Landscape Modeling
Flat lots are a rarity here. We specialize in modeling difficult topographies, ensuring your retaining walls, terraced gardens, and grade changes are accurate to the survey data. If your lot slopes 45 degrees, our model does too. This helps you visualize cut-and-fill requirements before you even talk to an excavator.
05.
3D Floor Plans & Cutaways
Most clients struggle to read 2D blueprints. They can’t visualize flow. We convert your technical CAD drawings into clear, 3D axonometric (top-down) floor plans. These are incredibly effective for real estate pre-sales or for helping homeowners understand the relationship between rooms in a complex remodel.
06.
Product & Furniture Modeling
For interior architects and custom fabricators, we build detailed parametric models of custom furniture pieces. Whether it’s a bespoke built-in for a bay window or a modern fixture for a tech office, we deliver models with exact proportions that can be used for manufacturing or high-end visualization.
How we work
Our 3D Modeling Workflow
It’s actually pretty simple. We’ve refined our process to make remote collaboration feel like we’re sitting at the desk next to you. By focusing strictly on the data, we eliminate the noise and get straight to the geometry.
1
The Handoff & Diagnosis
Usually, we start by gathering your “source of truth.” This is typically your CAD files, PDF plans, site photos, or survey data. We don’t just blindly import files; we diagnose them. We check if the elevations match the floor plans (you’d be surprised how often they don’t). If we spot a discrepancy, like a window alignment that doesn’t work mathematically, we flag it immediately before we start modeling.
The "Clay" Model (Block-Out)
Before we add textures or fancy lighting, we build the geometry. We send you a “white card” or “clay” model. This is a stripped-down version that allows you to verify the massing, the scale, and the camera angles without getting distracted by colors. It’s the best time to catch structural misunderstandings.
2
3
Texturing & Atmosphere
Once the geometry is approved, we start the heavy lifting. We apply materials, set up the lighting (simulating SF’s unique diffuse fog or bright sunlight), and add details like trim and landscape elements. We pay attention to the “imperfections” that make a render look real—like the slight variation in siding or the texture of a concrete retaining wall.
The Review Loop
We send over draft renders for your feedback. You mark them up literally, draw red lines on them if you want. We jump on a quick call if the feedback is complex. Because we stick so strictly to your plans, we typically nail it within 1-2 revision rounds, though it can vary depending on the project’s complexity.
4
5
Final Delivery
We deliver the high-resolution images, walkthrough videos, or the raw 3D source files ready for your client presentation or City submission.
Tailored for your Environment
Expertise Across Diverse Architectural Sectors
We don’t limit ourselves to a single building type. Our team has developed specialized workflows for the distinct needs of both high-end living and commercial development. Whether we are visualizing a bespoke sanctuary for a private homeowner or a marketable asset for a developer, we adjust our level of detail and artistic style to match the audience. We understand that a residential client needs to feel the “warmth” of a home, while a commercial stakeholder needs to see the “efficiency” of the floor plate.
01.
High-End Residential & Luxury Renovations
San Francisco is defined by its “Painted Ladies” and pre-war architecture. These homes are beautiful but notoriously difficult to modernize without destroying their soul. We specialize in visualizing the delicate balance between preservation and progress. We show you exactly how a modern open-concept kitchen will look next to your original wainscoting, or how a new exterior paint scheme will honor the neighborhood’s heritage while feeling fresh.
02.
Commercial, Retail & Multi-Unit Developments
For developers and commercial architects, speed and clarity are the priorities. We provide robust modeling services for office fit-outs, retail spaces, and multi-family housing complexes. Here, the goal is often twofold: verifying the massing for zoning requirements and creating compelling visuals for pre-leasing or investor presentations. We excel at visualizing potential usage scenarios—showing how a raw warehouse space translates into a tech office, or how a lobby design facilitates flow. Our models serve as powerful marketing tools that help you sell the square footage before construction is even complete.
03.
Product Design & Custom Furniture Modeling
Architecture doesn’t stop at the walls. We support product designers and interior architects by modeling bespoke furniture and custom fabrication details. Unlike standard architectural massing, this requires a microscopic level of attention to geometry and ergonomics. Whether it is a custom joinery piece for a heritage renovation, a unique lighting fixture, or a prototype for a new chair design, we build parametric models with exact manufacturing proportions. We bridge the gap between a sketch and a fabrication-ready file, ensuring that the custom elements of your design are visualized with the same fidelity as the building itself.
Innovation at Every Step
A Digital Workshop Built for Heavy Lifting
In the world of high-end architectural visualization, the quality of the work is often defined by the power of the tools. We don’t believe in “lite” versions or shortcuts. We have invested in a robust, industry-standard infrastructure designed to handle the massive datasets and complex geometries typical of San Francisco’s dense urban fabric. Our technology stack ensures that technical precision and artistic nuance are never compromised by hardware limitations.
The Software Backbone (Geometry & BIM)
We speak the native language of architecture. Our workflow relies on Autodesk 3ds Max and Rhino for complex modeling, allowing us to manipulate geometry with sub-millimeter precision. These tools give us the freedom to model organic terrain or intricate Victorian detailing that simpler software simply can’t handle. Crucially, we are fully integrated with Revit, enabling us to work directly with your BIM data. This ensures that our models aren’t just pretty pictures—they are accurate extensions of your construction documentation, maintaining the integrity of your dimensions from start to finish.
Photorealistic Rendering Engines
To capture the specific atmospheric quality of the Bay Area, we use physically-based rendering engines like V-Ray and Corona. These are the gold standards in the industry for a reason: they simulate “global illumination.” They calculate exactly how light bounces off a hardwood floor, diffuses through a fogged window, or reflects off a glass facade. This technology allows us to move beyond “computer graphics” into the realm of true optical simulation, giving you materials and lighting that look and feel authentic.
High-Performance Hardware
High-Performance Hardware Rendering at 4K resolution requires serious horsepower. Our workstations are equipped with top-tier NVIDIA RTX Series graphics cards, built to crunch heavy render calculations in real-time. This hardware advantage matters to you because it equals speed and iteration. We don’t have to lower the texture quality or remove details just to get a preview out on time. We have the computational muscle to deliver full-fidelity assets, fast, even for large-scale developments or complex animation sequences.
Our Recent Projects
Explore our latest interior design transformations across San Francisco homes, offices, and retail spaces. Each project showcases our commitment to problem-solving, client collaboration, and visually compelling results—tailored for how you live and work.
From historic Victorian renovations to modern SoMa condos, boutique offices, and vibrant retail outlets, our diverse portfolio is a testament to our approach: every space is thoughtfully designed for beauty, function, and sustainability.
The Real Cost of Wait and See
Solving the Economic & Mental Strain of Construction
Let’s be honest: in the Bay Area, construction isn’t just a project; it’s a massive financial portfolio risk. With local building costs frequently exceeding $500 per square foot, the margin for error is non-existent. We see our 3D modeling services not just as art, but as an essential insurance policy for your budget and your sanity.
01.
The Economic Pain: Avoiding the $10,000 "Oops"
The most expensive phrase in construction is “change order.” If a client realizes a hallway feels too narrow after the framing is up, moving that wall costs thousands in labor and materials. If they realize it in our 3D model, it costs zero dollars to fix. We treat the model as a “digital rehearsal.” We identify clashes, like a structural beam hitting a skylight, months before a contractor steps on site. By solving these conflicts virtually, we save you from the “sticker shock” of mid-construction changes that drain contingency funds.
02.
The Health Impact: Eliminating "Renovation Anxiety"
There is a genuine mental toll to construction. “Decision fatigue” and anxiety are real, often leading to sleepless nights and strained relationships between homeowners and architects. The root cause is usually the imagination gap—the stress of signing a check for something you can’t fully visualize. Our photorealistic models act as a stress-reduction tool. When a client can virtually stand in their new kitchen and see the light hitting the counter, the anxiety evaporates. We replace “I hope this looks good” with “I know exactly what I’m getting,” bringing peace of mind to an otherwise chaotic process.
We Speak "San Francisco Planning"
You can tell immediately when a 3D model was made by someone who doesn’t understand San Francisco. They render the sky with a generic “San Diego” brightness, or they ignore the crucial rhythm of the streetscape. We know that this city is a patchwork of strict regulatory zones and unique micro-climates. Our models are built not just to look good, but to satisfy the specific visual and technical requirements of the San Francisco Planning Department.
-
Navigating Section 311 & Neighborhood Notification
We know that Section 311 is often the biggest hurdle for residential projects. The Planning Department requires you to show the full “block face”—the buildings immediately adjacent to yours—to prove your design respects the neighborhood’s character. We accurately model cornice lines, bay window patterns, and setbacks to demonstrate compliance with the Residential Design Guidelines, helping you avoid a Discretionary Review (DR) request. -
Prop K Shadow Studies (Section 295)
In a city where sunlight is a protected resource, a bad shadow study can kill a project. We generate technical shadow diagrams compliant with Proposition K (Section 295). We simulate the sun’s path during the Winter and Summer Solstices to prove your addition won’t cast new shadows on parks under the Recreation and Park Department’s jurisdiction. -
Micro-Neighborhood Context
A rendering for a home in the Sunset District needs to feel different than one in SoMa. We understand the local vernacular. We capture the diffuse, soft lighting of the fog-belt avenues versus the sharper contrast of the Mission, ensuring the materials and atmosphere look authentic to the specific neighborhood.
What Our Clients Say
Faimora gave us the confidence to finally start our remodel. We were completely stuck, terrified of making a costly mistake on our Noe Valley renovation. Their 3D design process let us see everything. It was the most valuable project.
I use Faimora Interiors for all my client-facing visualizations. Their 3D models are precise, their understanding of architecture is deep, and they are true collaborators. They make my designs look even better and get my projects approved faster.
The 3D animations and virtual walkthroughs from Faimora are a non-negotiable part of our marketing. For our last Mission Bay development, we pre-sold 40% of the units using their visuals alone. The ROI is undeniable.
Working with Faimora has transformed how I present projects. Their team understands San Francisco's complex architecture , from historic Victorian details to modern SoMa structures. Their 3D Renders are accurate.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Our FAQ section provides clear answers about our process, what you can expect at each step, and how we customize our services to match your lifestyle and vision. If you don’t see your question here, our team is always ready to assist, just reach out for personalized support and expert advice.
