When most people look at a traditional landscape plan, what they see is a flat, top-down drawing filled with lines, symbols, and notes. For designers, that’s familiar territory. For clients, community members, and stakeholders, it can be hard to imagine what a place will feel like once it’s built.
That’s where 3D modeling and renderings make a meaningful difference.
“Most people don’t experience a site from a plan view,” says Stephen Peaden, Landscape Architect at Think Architecture. “They experience it at eye level—walking through it, driving into it, or gathering in it. 3D modeling helps bridge that gap.”
Why 3D Modeling Matters for Landscape and Site Design
While 3D modeling is a frequent practice in building design, it’s often underutilized in landscape architecture. Yet landscapes are inherently three-dimensional—shaped by topography, plantings, walls, paths, and how people move through outdoor spaces and the environment.
“Landscape architects are trained to read contour lines and understand grades,” Peaden explains. “Asking clients to visualize slopes, elevations, plantings, and other elements for outdoor spaces from a flat drawing can be a big leap.”
The clarity offered with 3D renderings can be especially valuable for high-budget projects, public spaces, and developments where design decisions carry long-term impact.
How Think Uses 3D Modeling and Renderings
At Think Architecture, 3D modeling is used when it adds value to decision-making and communication. “We tailor the level of modeling to the project and the audience,” says Peaden. “Sometimes it’s a few still images. Other times it’s a fully rendered fly-through video.”
Think uses a variety of professional software modeling and visualization tools, along with emerging AI technology, to create renderings that feel realistic. Because Think is both an architecture and landscape architecture firm, teams can seamlessly integrate building models with site and open-space designs—resulting in a more cohesive final vision suited to each site and its topography.
Project Example: Viviano at Riverton
The Viviano multi-family development in Riverton is a strong example of how 3D modeling can elevate understanding of a large, complex site. The project includes townhomes, open space, and a central amenity area with a clubhouse, pool, and park.
For Viviano, Think developed a detailed 3D model and fly-through video focused on the main amenity spaces. The renderings helped stakeholders visualize how buildings, landscape, and shared spaces interact—providing confidence that the design would function well and feel inviting once built.
Project Example: A Mountain Community Near Kamas, Utah
On a very different scale, Think also used 3D modeling for a high-end luxury single-family development in a mountain setting west of Kamas, Utah. In this case, the focus was on a carefully designed entry feature that sets the tone for the entire community.
“The client wanted to understand what it would feel like to arrive,” Peaden explains. “We modeled the entry elements—pillars, trellis structures, and landscape—to test different options and see how they worked with the natural setting.”
A series of still 3D renderings allowed the client to compare design iterations and make informed decisions about their investment. Even though the modeled area was relatively small, the value was significant.
The Real Benefits: Clarity, Confidence, and Better Outcomes
Across various project types, the primary benefits of 3D modeling remain consistent — from clear communication and faster decision-making (with fewer surprises later in the process) to a stronger design grounded in how spaces are experienced.
As landscape architecture continues to play a larger role in how communities function and feel, tools that improve understanding and collaboration are more valuable than ever. With thoughtful use of 3D modeling and renderings, Think Architecture helps clients truly see the future of their site—before it’s built. Ready to see your site at eye level before decisions lock in? Contact Think Architecture to talk through a 3D modeling approach that fits your project.
