About Services Work
Workshops Courses
Symbion Competition Study — Atelier Designa
Symbion Competition Study Competition / Early-stage design Symbion

From complex site constraints to clear design options.

Computational design modelling, option testing, and AI-assisted visualisation for an early-stage competition proposal.

Atelier Designa supported the design team with rapid 3D studies, computational modelling, and AI-assisted visualisation to test architectural options and communicate the project vision clearly.

The work helped translate complex site, programme, and topographic constraints into a more legible design narrative.

AI-assisted visualisation study — Symbion competition proposal
Stage
Competition / early-stage design
Site condition
Complex topography — levels, programme, and function modelled in relation to site
Services
3D modelling · option testing · AI visualisation
Outcome
Faster iteration, clearer options, stronger presentation
Value

Faster options. Clearer decisions.

The project required quick testing of architectural ideas against site constraints, programme requirements, and visual identity.

Rather than producing a single static model, Atelier Designa developed a flexible digital workflow that allowed the team to explore massing, spatial relationships, façade expression, and presentation imagery in parallel.

This helped compress the design process and make each option easier to compare, discuss, and refine.

01
More options explored
Rapid digital modelling allowed multiple design directions to be tested without restarting the process each time.
02
Clearer design narrative
Visual material helped explain the project's relationship to site, landscape, movement, and architectural form.
03
Faster feedback loop
Ideas could be modelled, visualised, reviewed, and adjusted quickly.
04
Stronger presentation material
Images, diagrams, and studies helped communicate the proposal with more clarity and impact.
Process

From rough intent to visual clarity.

01
Site and massing logic
The first stage focused on understanding site constraints, level changes, access conditions, and programme relationships. The aim was not to over-model the project, but to create enough structure for meaningful testing.
02
Option testing
Multiple design options were explored through 3D modelling and computational workflows. This allowed the team to test scale, massing, façade direction, and spatial organisation in a controlled way.
03
AI-assisted visualisation
AI workflows were used to accelerate visual development and test atmosphere, materiality, and architectural expression. The value was not just image production; the images became part of the design conversation.
04
Presentation support
The final outputs supported competition-stage communication through visual material, diagrams, and design studies. The work helped make the project easier to read, easier to discuss, and easier to present.
Master plan strategy — river as a destination Building articulation as gearwork Integration of existing trees Using the river as a catalyst Linking river and campus Amphitheatre as a social attractor
01 / 06
01 — Site and massing logic
Understanding site constraints, level changes, access conditions, and programme relationships.
Scroll
Motion study

AI-assisted visualisation in motion.

A scroll-driven sequence showing the AI-assisted visual development. Scroll to move through how atmosphere, materiality, and architectural expression were tested across the proposal.

Scroll to move through the AI-assisted visual sequence.
Why it matters

Early decisions shape project risk.

Early-stage design decisions are expensive to change later.

For complex sites and competition projects, the risk is that teams commit too early to a form, image, or layout before understanding the consequences.

Atelier Designa helps architects test the logic behind the image — using computational modelling, AI-assisted visualisation, and rapid option development to make design decisions more visible, comparable, and controlled.

Services

Services used on this project.

  • Early-stage 3D modelling
  • Rhino-based design studies
  • Computational design support
  • Massing and site option testing
  • AI-assisted visualisation
  • Diagram and presentation support
  • Design narrative development

This project was developed in collaboration with Symbion as part of an early-stage competition process. Atelier Designa contributed computational design support, 3D modelling, option testing, and AI-assisted visualisation material. Architectural authorship and final project ownership remain with the appointed design team.

Get in touch

Working on a complex site, façade, venue, civic project, or competition proposal?

Atelier Designa supports design teams with early-stage computational design, option testing, geometry rationalisation, and AI-assisted visualisation.