Key Takeaways:

• Ampere uses D5 Render to streamline their sports design workflow, creating high-impact visualizations with speed, clarity, and collaboration at the core. 
• By integrating D5 across every design phase—from concept to construction sequencing—Ampere accelerates decision-making, enhances collaboration, and delivers clarity to clients. 
• With custom libraries, D5 sync with Revit, and unmatched rendering speed, D5 helps Ampere efficiently and effectively scale quality without sacrificing creativity. 

Studio Overview:

• ‍Location: 1617 Walnut St. Kansas City, MO 64108
• ‍Team Size: 8‍
• Studio Type: Sports-focused architecture studio
• ‍Project Types: Small College Athletics, Stadiums, Team Facilities, Practice Facilities, Master Planning, New Construction, Renovation/Additions ‍
• Modeling Tools: Revit, Rhino, 3ds Max

Meet Ampere: A New Chapter in Sports Architecture

Eight architects stepped away from the comfort of a previous firm with a shared belief: small college athletics deserved smarter, more inspiring design. From that bold move, Ampere was born—a lean, talented studio committed to visual storytelling, speed, transparency and collaboration. 

But the turning point wasn’t just their passion. It was choosing the right creative tools. And at the center of that decision was D5 Render. 

The Problem: Hitting a Wall Traditional rendering software 

Ampere’s team had relied on various other rendering software for years—but it came at a cost. Clunky file management. Delayed sync. Slowed teamwork. 

“D5 exists outside of the Revit API,” said Andy Huss, co-founder. “It maintains our flow.” 

They needed freedom—not friction. They needed speed without compromise. 

From Exploration to Adoption

The switch started casually: a social media ad caught a designer’s eye. "I tried D5 during school and was amazed," said designer Lin Jaw. The team quickly realized that D5 wasn’t just beautiul—it was efficient, collaborative, and lightweight. 

D5 felt like an extension of their creative mindset—experimental, constantly improving, and fun to use. “It looks and feels like it aligns with our team,” said Andy. Unlike other render engines, D5 Render works outside the Revit environment. That separation keeps BIM files light, responsive, and easier to manage. 

Also read: D5 LiveSync for Revit: Real-Time BIM Rendering Workflow

The Solution: A Workflow That Works at the Speed of Thought

D5 Render is now embedded into Ampere’s daily operations—not just as a final polish, but a core part of concept development, client storytelling, and creative experimentation.

Concept Renders for Early Buy-In

D5’s AI-driven sketch effects (like watercolor and pencil) allow Ampere to pitch early ideas without fully modeled details. These visuals save hours and streamline client approvals.

Real-Time Decisions via D5 Sync

Once the initial concept is approved, Ampere moves into a more detailed design development phase, where coordination, speed, and visual clarity become critical. The team uses Revit as their central modeling platform and leverages live-sync integration with D5 Render to visualize design changes in real time. Whether it’s repositioning an entryway or updating a stadium ramp, these adjustments are instantly reflected in D5, enabling designers to study spatial impact and iterate quickly without disrupting the rest of the workflow.

Collaborative Modeling & Asset Integration

Ampere’s team operates fluidly during this phase: technical leads focus on refining structural accuracy, while designers handle visual composition and storytelling. Supporting this process is a growing custom material library in D5, built in collaboration with key manufacturing partners like FieldTurf, Beynon, Tarkett Sports Indoor and Tarkett Sports. This allows them to apply sport-specific surfaces—turf, track, or court—with precision and speed. Alongside materials, Ampere has also developed a set of pre-rigged 3D sports assets, including football and baseball player models that can be easily dropped into scenes and customized with team-specific uniforms directly in D5.

Fast Iteration, Lightweight Workflow

Because all these assets live inside the D5 environment, the Revit model remains lightweight, enabling fast iteration without performance bottlenecks. Vegetation scattering, crowd placement, and lighting setups—elements that usually slow down a file—are handled smoothly in D5, giving the team flexibility to visualize options and adjust on the fly. The result is a tightly coordinated workflow where the architecture, visuals, and story evolve in sync.

Visual Packaging for Clients

As the design progresses, Ampere transitions into client review and visualization delivery, packaging the vision into impactful presentation materials. Internal review sessions are held to refine imagery, check for consistency, and align on visual messaging. If a client requests changes during this phase, the team can quickly push updates from Revit to D5, allowing them to respond in real time and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.

High-Impact Renderings and Animations

D5’s powerful rendering capabilities come into play here. Ampere produces high-quality stills and cinematic animations with HDRI lighting, volumetric effects, and detailed entourage. These visuals are used not only for client and board presentations but also across their website and fundraising materials. For enhanced realism, Ampere frequently matches D5 camera views with drone photography, allowing the render to blend naturally into the project’s real-world context—creating compelling photomontages that feel believable and grounded.

To showcase the evolution of a design, the team also prepares multi-stage visuals, from early AI-styled concept renderings to final polished scenes. This helps clients understand how the design developed and feel more engaged in the process. More than just deliverables, these visuals serve as decision-making tools and emotional hooks—conveying the project’s atmosphere, performance, and community value in a way that words and plans alone cannot.

The Results

Speed Meets Impact: Faster and more Agile 

The time it takes to develop a realistic rendering is significantly reduced. Ampere can now deliver proposals quicker, iterate faster, and tailor visualizations on the fly—all critical for a nimble, high-performing team. 

Making Presentations Powerful 

From pitch to fundraising, visuals built in D5 do more than look good—they persuade. 

“Our clients use D5 visuals and animations to raise funds. That realism gives them confidence,” Andy explained. 

Ampere’s new website www.ampyourdesign.com features animations that highlight various project types in intriguing ways. Breaking the mold of traditional architectural websites that all look the same, Ampere leverages D5 as a key part of their fresh new look. 

A Cultural Catalyst 

D5 didn’t just elevate output—it reshaped how Ampere works. With an open office, flat hierarchy, and creative freedom, everyone on the team—from junior to principal—can generate visual storytelling in D5. 

“It’s intuitive. It’s exciting. It’s us.” 

Final Word: From Rendering to Revolution 

If you’re still relying on slow, tethered tools, Ampere’s advice is simple: 

“Just do it.” 

Ampere’s not just designing stadiums—they’re designing clarity, speed, and belief. With D5, they don’t just play the game. They set the pace. 

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