Key Takeaways

• ‍Real-time rendering enabled a 70% reduction in visualization time, transforming Settanta7’s design process into a faster, more agile operation.
• ‍D5 Render bridged the gap between design and storytelling, allowing architects and visual teams to collaborate seamlessly and iterate in real time.
• ‍Internal visualization workflows replaced costly outsourcing, cutting overhead while improving creative control and delivery speed.

Studio Overview:

• ‍Location: Europe (across 5 offices: Milan, Turin, Tirana, Lyon, Lisbon)
• ‍Team Size: 130+ collaborators, 12 partners
• ‍Studio Type: Medium to large-sized architecture firm
• ‍Project Types: Educational buildings, cultural centers, public infrastructure, urban regeneration, offices
• ‍Modeling Tools: Rhino and Blender

1. The Power of Visualization, Reimagined

Architecture today is more than design — it's communication, collaboration, and execution at speed. For Settanta7, a leading European design firm, embracing real-time rendering wasn’t just a technical upgrade — it was a strategic shift that redefined how their teams work, iterate, and deliver.

This case study explores how Settanta7 used D5 Render to turn bottlenecks into breakthroughs, focusing on their work for Cittadella Scolastica in Castel Volturno — a landmark educational project shaping the future of public architecture in Italy.

2. From Growth to Agility: Why Settanta7 Invested in Real-Time Tech

Founded in 2009 by Daniele Rangone and Elena Rionda, Settanta7 has grown into a 130-person interdisciplinary practice with studios in Milan, Turin, Lyon, Lisbon, and Tirana. Their design ethos blends innovation with social responsibility — visible in projects like the Bosco della Musica, the University of Padua’s Engineering Hub, and the revitalization of Scalo Ravone.

As the studio scaled, so did complexity. Visualization was no longer a final step — it needed to keep pace with design development, client expectations, and compressed project timelines.

3. The Challenge: Creative Vision, Slowed by Inefficiency

Settanta7’s visualization team relied on traditional rendering tools like 3ds Max and V-Ray — powerful, but time-intensive and siloed.

• Rendering times often exceeded 4–5 hours per image
• Iterations required multiple software handoffs
• Designers and visualizers worked in isolation
• Outsourcing became necessary for high-end post-production

These constraints slowed reviews, limited experimentation, and added cost without increasing value.

Also read: 3ds Max Render Animation Making with D5 Render Livesync Plugin

4. The Turning Point: Real-Time Rendering with D5

The team adopted D5 Render to transform how visualization supported design — not just polish it at the end. It allowed Settanta7 to bring modeling, visualization, and decision-making into one real-time feedback loop.

“D5 gave us back the time to be creative,” says Antonio Oggianu, Visual Team Leader. “Now we tell the story of each project without being slowed by waiting or revisions.”

5. What Changed: A New Visualization Workflow

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With LiveSync for Rhino and support for FBX/IFC formats, D5 Render integrated directly into Settanta7’s design tools — no manual conversions, no delays. The results were immediate:

✔️ Instant Feedback Loops — Design changes visualized on the spot
✔️ Cross-Team Collaboration — With D5 for Teams, architects and art directors can review and edit the same project simultaneously, streamlining feedback and accelerating teamwork.
✔️ Accelerated Iteration — Rendering time reduced by up to 70%
✔️ In-House Delivery — No need for outsourcing or post-production bottlenecks

“D5 lets us make decisions side by side with designers,” adds Marianna Massaro from the Visual Team. “That has completely changed how we work.”

Also read: Real-time Collaborative 3D Design & Visualization for Architects

6. Case in Focus: Castel Volturno Educational Complex

As the largest upcoming school project in Italy, the Castel Volturno campus represents a bold vision for flexible, sustainable learning environments. Real-time rendering with D5 helped Settanta7:

• Create high-impact visuals for faster approvals
• Animate walkthroughs to bring spaces to life
• Align internal teams and external stakeholders around one vision
• Deliver with greater speed, control, and clarity

6.1 Measurable Outcomes:

Rendering Time: Cut from 5 hours to just minutes
Storytelling: Cinematic scenes created in-house
Cost Efficiency: No more outsourced visualization
Creative Control: Design and visuals stayed fully aligned

7. The Bigger Picture: Visualization as a Strategic Asset

Settanta7’s experience shows that real-time rendering is more than a visualization tool — it’s a business enabler. It improved speed, cut costs, and enhanced collaboration without compromising quality.

By embedding D5 Render into its creative DNA, Settanta7 positioned itself for faster delivery, scalable innovation, and deeper client impact — essentials for any architecture firm navigating today’s fast-changing market.

Innovation isn’t just possible — it’s scalable, when supported by the right tools.

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