Shaping the Future Today: How Architects Use Visualization Tools to Design for What’s Next
In architecture, designing for the future often means creating spaces that don’t yet exist — spaces that might not take physical form for years to come, but whose concepts need to be clear, convincing, and future-ready today. This is precisely what German architectural firm Sonnentag Architektur accomplished with the design of the upcoming Ärztezentrum Mönchengladbach (Mönchengladbach Medical Centre) — a healthcare facility that proves how digital design tools are revolutionizing architectural workflows.
A Medical Centre Designed for Tomorrow
Sonnentag Architektur, renowned for its human-centered, contemporary designs, was tasked with delivering a complete concept for a new medical center in Mönchengladbach, Germany. But there was a catch — the team had only two weeks to design a flexible, welcoming space that meets strict medical requirements while overcoming the site’s challenging topography.
Under typical circumstances, such a project would require months of iteration and collaboration. But thanks to advanced visualization tools like Enscape and Veras, part of the Enscape Premium Suite, the Sonnentag team was able to fast-track the entire process — without sacrificing creativity or quality.
Design Before Construction: How Technology Made It Possible
Working under immense time pressure, the team modeled the project in Vectorworks, then leveraged Enscape’s real-time 3D visualization to refine building geometry, explore facade options, and assess site context. The Site Context tool, in particular, allowed the architects to virtually design around the site’s complex topography — an obstacle that could have otherwise slowed the process significantly.
To bring warmth and healing qualities into the space, they turned to Veras, an AI-powered visualization tool. Veras helped the team rapidly generate, refine, and experiment with different material palettes that aligned with the client’s vision for an inviting, human-centered medical environment.
In just one day, the team produced over 100 material and design variations — an extraordinary pace made possible by the synergy of these cutting-edge tools.
The Design That Persuaded — Even Before It’s Built
With high-quality renderings, immersive 3D visuals, and thoughtfully chosen materials in hand, Sonnentag Architektur presented the proposed design to their client, a private healthcare network specializing in radiotherapy. The client was so impressed by the visual clarity and architectural boldness of the concept that they approved the more ambitious, expressive design — even though the building itself is yet to be physically constructed.
This success story perfectly illustrates the importance of visualization technology in shaping projects for the future. By allowing stakeholders to see, experience, and engage with architectural concepts early in the process, tools like Enscape and Veras give architects the confidence — and evidence — they need to push design boundaries while ensuring practicality and feasibility.
Designing for a Future That Evolves
While construction of the Mönchengladbach Medical Centre may still be years away, the project stands as proof that today’s architectural tools can bridge the gap between imagination and reality. As lead architect Marco Iannelli put it, designing for the future means thinking beyond the present — considering not just geometry, but also materials, energy efficiency, and adaptability.
In a fast-evolving world, the ability to create, visualize, and refine future-ready spaces is no longer optional — it’s essential.
Special thanks to the Chaos Bloggers Group for sharing the inspiring story of Sonnentag Architektur and their innovative approach to designing future-ready healthcare spaces.