Tag

Chief Architect

2024 Chief Architect Design of the Year Contest Finalists


Modern farmhouse kitchen rendering with blue tie backsplash.

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

Chief Architect holds monthly design contests for customers to show off their work throughout the year. Designers with different backgrounds and design styles go head-to-head in the Kitchen, Bath and interiors, Residential, and Remodel/Addition categories.

(more…)

Blueprints of Success


Modern sitting space with a cozy fire place made in Chief Architect.

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

Meet a few of the talented individuals who are leveraging the cutting-edge design program Chief Architect Software to create stunning residential spaces. From seasoned architects to budding interior designers and everything in between, our featured users share their unique journeys, creative processes, and tips for maximizing the potential of their chosen tool. Whether you’re looking to improve your own design skills or simply seek inspiration, our users can offer valuable insights and firsthand experiences that highlight the transformative power of Chief Architect.

(more…)

3D Plumbing & Plumbing Isometrics in Chief Architect


A 3D Plumbing and HVAC plan made in Chief Architect Software.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image by Phillip Gibney

A plumbing system is a network of pipes, fittings, fixtures, and valves that delivers water where needed throughout the home while safely removing wastewater. While often one of the more underappreciated and unnoticed parts of a house, a well-built plumbing system is critical in ensuring health and sanitation.

With potentially hundreds of feet of piping navigating through a home’s structure, envisioning how a plumbing system is built can be challenging. 3D plumbing isometrics solves this challenge by allowing designers and contractors to visualize in far greater detail how a plumbing system may come together. This can help avoid problems during construction by highlighting conflicts between the plumbing system and the home’s structural components. For example, by visualizing in 3D where the plumbing lines are running, you could easily recognize a scenario such as a floor joist interfering with the placement of a toilet flange and its respective wastewater lines. Identifying and correcting such conflicts in the design phase is faster, easier, and less expensive than correcting them in the field.

(more…)

Elevating Everyday Moments: The Art of Designing a Perfect Dining Room


Farmhouse dining space with wooden table and white brick fireplace rendered in Chief Architect Software

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

The dining room is a space that goes beyond functionality. It is the heart of the home where families gather, friends bond, and memorable moments unfold. This guide will walk you through the key elements of creating a dining room that is both visually stunning and a place to make meaningful connections.

(more…)

Winners of the 2023 Design of the Year Contest


Chief Architect Software Design of the year winners, a collage of a Kitchen and Bath, Residential Design, and a Remodeling project.

Top Home Improvement Projects to Build Equity and Increase Value


A render of the silverton sample plan designed in Chief Architect Software.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image By Phillip Gibney

For many, a home is not just a place to live, it’s also a way to build wealth and financial security. A common strategy for millions of homeowners looking to increase their home’s value is to complete home improvement projects. When considering which projects to pursue, estimating the project’s return on investment (ROI) early in the planning process is essential.  The ROI for a given home improvement project helps predict how much your home value might increase based on how much money you spend on the project. This is important because it can help you prioritize which home improvement projects to undertake based on your goals.  For example, if you spend $30,000 on a home project and this project increases the long-term value of your home by $30,000, then the ROI is 100%; however, if it increases the value of your home by $15,000, the ROI will only be 50% and may have you reprioritizing your list of home improvement projects. In this article, we will discuss home improvement projects that consistently have the best ROI and learn how 3D home design software can help ensure your next project is a success.

(more…)

Creating a Functional Home Using Chief Architect Software for Efficient Space Planning


Dollhouse floor plan view using Chief Architect

Profile image of Danielle Schroeder By Danielle Schroeder

We spend a significant portion of our lives in our homes. Our living spaces should be designed to be comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. Residential space planning can help you achieve an organized and well-planned living space.

(more…)

What AI is Saying about Chief Architect


The front exterior elevation of a modern home with a shed roofs

Author, Kerry Hansen by Kerry Hansen & Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now and being in the tech industry, we wanted to see what it had to say about Chief Architect Software so we asked ChatGPT, “Why should I buy Chief Architect Software?” and these results which came up in a matter of minutes.

(more…)

Design Options in Chief Architect


A house designed in Chief Architect Premer with design options.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image by Phillip Gibney

Design options are choices provided to the client that offers variations in design concepts. Design options can range from design styles, floor plan layouts, and elevations, to material finishes, interior selections, and more. Using the tools in Chief Architect Premier, you can help clients visualize design options to ensure they are satisfied with a home design and provide upsell opportunities.

(more…)

Rendering Tips and Tricks


Attic bathroom with green accent wall, white tile shower, black floor, cherry cabinets, floating counter vanity, laundry machines and sheepskin rug

Author's portrait By Adrean Stephenson

Chief Academy has come and gone, and we are left with the notes from the information we shared. I was tasked with the opportunity to provide some thoughts on the rendering functions of Chief Architect and how to go about the process. I’ve condensed my PowerPoint slides and reformulated them for reference in this post. I hope you find some helpful pieces in your rendering journey!

This will be a high-level topic that explores a lot of moving parts. Follow the embedded links throughout to learn more about different topics.

(more…)