Presented by
Converted
Architectural Design & Visualization Challenge IX.
March 1st – June 1st, June 22nd, 2021 (extended).
Image by Ronen Bekerman
Welcome to CONVERTED, The 9th International Architectural Design & Visualization Challenge I’m running in partnership with Substance by Adobe and ASUS as primary sponsors, and many more to form a prize pool valued at nearly $175,000 USD.
We’re inviting the entire Architectural Visualization community to showcase your design and visualization creativity and skill during this unique three months “Work in Progress” style competition. Big thanks to Substance by Adobe, the Material Category Marquee Sponsor, and ASUS, our hardware sponsor providing ProArt StudioBooks for the grand prize winners.
Sign up to take part in this amazing new challenge and also to get access to the Substance Suite for the duration!
Make it after you clicked “Count me in” above and dedicate it to introducing yourself and your concept for the challenge. Check your email for the first steps you should take during this challenge.
We have amazing sponsors this time around, helping in shaping and making this challenge what it is!
I’m presenting this Challenge with Substance by Adobe as the Material Category Marquee sponsor.
Substance is the complete suite for object texturing and material authoring for your 3D projects, and you’ll be using it to create your challenge entry. All winners will get a yearly license to Substance Suite and Adobe CC.
An ASUS ProArt StudioBook is waiting for each of the Grand Prize winners in Converted’s three entry categories – Still, Animation and Real-Time.
A ProArt StudioBook is a mighty mobile powerhouse with extreme performance. It packs a professional-grade Quadro or GeForce graphics card, a wide-gamut display, and exceptional color accuracy makes it the very best laptop for serious content creators.
Globe Plants, Autodesk, and Design Connected also join the sponsors’ team for this Challenge, offering content packs and software.
And more prizes to be awarded by all of our great sponsors!
This Challenge’s seeds were planted a year ago during COVID-19 lockdown(s). They were mainly inspired by a project running at my studio, The Craft, which was all about repurposing old buildings and converting them into something new. Not just the looks of it, but the function too.
This time I’ve partnered with Substance by Adobe to finally bring the focus I’ve long wanted to the field of material creation with parameterization at the heart of it.
53 Greene Street Facade Converted from a two-story building to a tall logistic center.
The fast technological advancements in VR/AR/MR and adoption by content creators call for a re-evaluation of our workflows. In CONVERTED, I introduce the concept of time and change and encourage you to explore how that comes into play with materiality and your storytelling.
“Knowing how to redesign and reuse old structures is just as important as designing and building new ones.”
I encourage all followers of the blog and newcomers to take part in this Challenge. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore new territory and push our limits.
Martello Tower Y Image by Edmund Sumner, Architectural Photographer & Jury Panel member.
Should you choose to accept it, is to TAKE THE OLD and INTRODUCE SOMETHING NEW. You’ll design and visualize a CONVERSION PROJECT of your own choosing with (pick your path) a set of still images, animations, or VR experiences in a “Work in Progress” style competition for three months.
You can use any software you like to create your entry for this Challenge and enter any category you want while using the Substance by Adobe suite for your primary materials creation.
“We’ll provide you with access to the Substance by Adobe suite of tools and set you up with credits for the Source Materials Library.”
Converted offers you lots of freedom in terms of your concept. I’m not providing you with a specific model as I did in past challenges, but there are some rules and a program you’ll need to keep to.
You can either design a project from scratch (both old and new state) or pick a real project and showcase its current state and suggested conversion. You can’t recreate a real project that was already converted in the same way it was done in real life… you can suggest a different approach for it.
Don’t panic! There are no wrong answers to this.
At this point, I usually state that your entry will be judged according to overall accepted standards of architectural visualization. Still, this time around, you have a chance to set some new standards! We’ll be looking at your concept, story, lighting, MATERIALS, 3d modeling, technical skill, emotive qualities, and participation on the blog showcasing your progress as well as offering feedback to other challengers.
“Jumpstart your imagination and create something inspiring!”
The Jury
The winners will be chosen by leading artists from the architectural visualization field.
People you know and that are an inspiration to us all. Your entry will be judged based on categories such as concept, story, lighting, materials, 3d modeling, technical skill, emotive qualities, and participation on the blog showcasing your progress as well as offering feedback to fellow challengers.
Roberto Cepp De Rose
Co-Founder & Teacher / SOA Studio & Academy
3D Artist for Clients such as Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Richard Meier & Partners, Mario Cucinella Architects, Matteo Thun, C + S.
Roberto is the artistic director at SOA Studio as well as supervisor of the entire production of the artworks; also is a professor in the division of State of Art Academy as he is an Unreal Engine Certified Instructor.
Mengyi Fan
Director Visualization – SHoP Architects.
She has worked in multiple roles of expertise in the architectural field, focusing on the New York metropolitan area, ranging from lighting design for major infrastructural projects to creating exhibitions that utilize social media as a design tool.
For the last 9 years at SHoP Architects, Mengyi has played a role in almost every project at the firm, working closely with partners to use visualization and emerging technology as design tools to realize SHoP’s architectural vision. She is also a co-organizer of 3DNY, working together with architecture, visualization, and VFX studios to promote diversity and facilitate conversations among different fields.
Edmund Sumner
Architectural Photographer, UK.
In addition to his domestic photography, Edmund travels far and wide, equally comfortable working with emerging talent and mega studios globally. He is often to be found shooting in India, Japan, Mexico, the Middle East, and the USA
Publications include Architecture of Eden (Transworld 2004), New Architecture in Japan (Merrell, 2010), Architecture of the Olympics (Wiley, 2012), and Indian House (Thames and Hudson 2020). Recent clients include: Tadao Ando, RSHP, RIBA, Burberry, and the National Government of Kuwait.
Pierre Maheut
Substance by Adobe, France.
He used to be Strategy Director for Architecture and Industrial Design at Allegorithmic-Substance. He is also knowledgeable about CAD as he spent 8 years at Dassault Systemes as a CATIA Creative Design expert and portfolio manager.
Ronen Bekerman
Co-Founder and Manager – The Craft.
With more than 19 years of professional experience as a 3d visualization artist in the Architectural Visualization Industry, Ronen is managing The Craft since 2015, creating still images, animation, and VR experiences for clients all around the world.
After serving six years in the Israeli Navy, Ronen worked for three years as a 3d design specialist at the leading Israeli firm Chyutin Architects, alongside his architecture studies at the Tel Aviv University. In 2005, Ronen founded Polytown Media and focused on the process of visualizing architecture ever since.
In 2009, Ronen founded the popular ArchVIZ Blog at ronenbekerman.com and running it ever since, providing a place for the ArchVIZ community to share, learn, grow and also participate in challenges such as this one. Ronen is also a member of the SOA advisory board and a member of the Jury for the Architizer A+ Awards.
Terms, rules and more!
Stay tuned for more information about more sponsors, awards, prizes, rules, terms, and how to upload your progress milestones. Start your creative process, and for any question you may have, use the form below.
Just check the FAQ first!
Parts of the following awards list is still “To Be Determined”, but most of it is here and the total prize pool value is estimated at nearly $175,000 USD.
Stills - Grand Prize Winner (Valued $28,850 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- ASUS: ProArt StudioBook – ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro X Mobile Workstation Laptop*
- Globe Plants: ALL 25 Collections!
- Autodesk: 3ds Max Yearly License
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server Plan (ANY plan includes custom plans)
- Design Connected: Professional Annual Plan
- Laubwerk: Complete Plant Kits
- PG SKIES: ALL SKIES
- Humano3D: All Collections vol. 01-08
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: All-in-One Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 3yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Sketchfab: Pro 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1+v2 and Transmutr Studio
- Pulze: Foundation Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro, 1 PM Pro, and 3 RM)
- Laubwerk: SurfaceSpread (if winning entry is made with Cinema4D)
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 20 collections of choice
- VIShopper: 1000 images of choice (1000 credits pack)
Stills - Runner-Up (Valued $14,585 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- Globe Plants: 10 Collections of choice
- Autodesk: TBD
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server “up to 15 users” Plan
- Design Connected: Personal Annual Plan
- Laubwerk: 8 Plant Kits of choice
- PG SKIES: 45 Skies of choice
- Humano3D: 4 Collections of choice
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: Craft Bundle or Veneers Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 1yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Pulze: Creators Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro and 3 RM)
- Sketchfab: Plus 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1 and Transmutr Artist
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 10 Collections of choice
- VIShopper: 500 images of choice (500 credits pack)
Animation - Grand Prize Winner (Valued $28,850 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- ASUS: ProArt StudioBook – ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro X Mobile Workstation Laptop*
- Globe Plants: ALL 25 Collections!
- Autodesk: 3ds Max Yearly License
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server Plan (ANY plan includes custom plans)
- Design Connected: Professional Annual Plan
- Laubwerk: Complete Plant Kits
- PG SKIES: ALL SKIES
- Humano3D: All Collections vol. 01-08
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: All-in-One Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 3yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Sketchfab: Pro 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1+v2 and Transmutr Studio
- Pulze: Foundation Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro, 1 PM Pro, and 3 RM)
- Laubwerk: SurfaceSpread (if winning entry is made with Cinema4D)
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 20 collections of choice
- VIShopper: 1000 images of choice (1000 credits pack)
Animation - Runner-Up (Valued $14,585 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- Globe Plants: 10 Collections of choice
- Autodesk: TBD
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server “up to 15 users” Plan
- Design Connected: Personal Annual Plan
- Laubwerk: 8 Plant Kits of choice
- PG SKIES: 45 Skies of choice
- Humano3D: 4 Collections of choice
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: Craft Bundle or Veneers Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 1yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Pulze: Creators Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro and 3 RM)
- Sketchfab: Plus 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1 and Transmutr Artist
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 10 Collections of choice
- VIShopper: 500 images of choice (500 credits pack)
Real-Time - Grand Prize Winner (Valued $32,425 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- ASUS: ProArt StudioBook – ASUS ProArt StudioBook Pro X Mobile Workstation Laptop*
- Globe Plants: ALL 25 Collections!
- Act-3D: Lumion 11 Pro
- Autodesk: 3ds Max Yearly License
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server Plan (ANY plan includes custom plans)
- Design Connected: Professional Annual Plan
- PG SKIES: ALL SKIES
- Humano3D: All Collections vol. 01-08
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: All-in-One Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 3yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Sketchfab: Pro 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1+v2 and Transmutr Studio
- Pulze: Foundation Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro, 1 PM Pro, and 3 RM)
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 20 collections of choice
- VIShopper: 1000 images of choice (1000 credits pack)
Real-Time - Runner-Up (Valued $14,585 USD)
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- Globe Plants: 10 Collections of choice
- Autodesk: TBD
- Design Connected: 1-year of Any Connecter Server “up to 15 users” Plan
- Design Connected: Personal Annual Plan
- Laubwerk: 8 Plant Kits of choice
- PG SKIES: 45 Skies of choice
- Humano3D: 4 Collections of choice
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- Arroway Textures: Craft Bundle or Veneers Bundle
- VIZPARK: VP Complete Bundle
- Exlevel: GrowFX 1yr License
- MOTIVA: Layama
- Pulze: Creators Bundle (1-year license for 1 SM Pro and 3 RM)
- Sketchfab: Plus 1-year Subscription
- Skatter: Skatter v1 and Transmutr Artist
- Chaos Group – TBD
- Corona Renderer – TBD
- iToo Software – TBD
- MAXTREE: 10 Collections of choice
- VIShopper: 500 images of choice (500 credits pack)
Honorable Category Mention (Valued $7,000 USD) X 5
Design, 3d Modeling, Materials, Lighting, and Vegetation categories for honorable mentions.
Prize list – TBD
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- Globe Plants: 1 Collection of choice
- Design Connected: 200 EUR voucher + 1 year of Connecter Server “Up to 10 users” plan
- PG SKIES: 5 Skies of choice
- Arroway Textures: Single Volume of choice
- Humano3D: 1 Collection of choice
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- VIZPARK: 100 EUR credits
- Exlevel: GrowFX 1-year license
- Pulze: yearly license for one product of choice (1SM or 1PM or 3RM)
- Sketchfab: Plus 1-year Subscription
- MAXTREE: 1 Collection of choice
- VIShopper: 100 images of choice (75 credits pack)
Challenge Promoter (Valued $7,000 USD)
This prize is dedicated to the community member who helps bring in the most active number of participants!
Prize list – TBD
- Substance by Adobe: Substance Suite Pro Yearly License
- Adobe: Creative Cloud All Apps Yearly License
- Globe Plants: 1 Collection of choice.
- Design Connected: Starter+ Annual plan + 1 year of Connecter Server “Up to 15 users” plan
- PG SKIES: 5 Skies of choice
- Arroway Textures: Craft Bundle or Veneers Bundle
- Humano3D: 1 Collection of choice
- AXYZ Design: anima ALL
- VIZPARK: 100 EUR credits
- Exlevel: GrowFX 1-year license
- Pulze: yearly license for one product of choice (1SM or 1PM or 3RM)
- Sketchfab: Plus 1-year Subscription
- MAXTREE: 1 Collection of choice
- VIShopper: 100 images of choice (75 credits pack)
* Regarding Asus Prize – while Asus sponsors the laptop units, there may be added shipping and or import fees that the winner will have to pay to facilitate awarding the prize. This will be worked on a case by case basis as the winners are announced and the country of residence is known.
This is a skill-based competition
Eligibility
The “Converted” Challenge (“Challenge”) is open to legal residents of all countries (collectively, “Territory”) who are over the age of majority in their country, province or state of residence. Employees of the Sponsors, its divisions, affiliates, subsidiaries or advertising agencies associated with this Challenge, and relatives of and those living in the same household as such individuals are prohibited from entering. For the purpose of this Challenge, relatives are defined as spouse, partner, parent, legal guardian, in-law, grandparent, sibling, children, and grandchildren. Void where prohibited by law.
Organiser
The Challenge is organized by Polytown Media LTD on www.ronenbekerman.com (“Organiser”), Hapelech 7, WeWork Building, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6816727, Israel.
Sponsors
The Competition is sponsored by all the sponsors listed in the dedicated sponsors’ section. Visit their respective websites for contact information.
Agreement to Official Rules
By participating in this Challenge, entrants agree to these Official Rules, which are a contract, so read them carefully before entering. To the extent permitted by law, this contract includes a limitation of your rights and remedies. Organizer and Sponsors reserve the right to make reasonable amendments to these Official Rules at any time, to qualify and verify all submissions, and to reject any submissions that do not meet the requirements for participation as established by Sponsors. All decisions made by Organizer and Sponsors concerning this Competition shall be final and binding on all entrants, in all respects. Each winner will be required to participate in the prize fulfillment process and sign documentation, such as a release, within the timeframe specified by the Organiser and Sponsors, as more fully detailed below. All entrants agree by entering to allow the sponsors to use their submmited images for marketing purposes with proper credits provided.
Join by clicking the button on this page header
Provide your full name and email and start inviting more artists to the Challenge. The one inviting the most active participants will win a special prize.
This is how you also get access to the Substance Suite for the duration of the challenge + credits to the Source Library.
Create your Passport
If you didn’t yet, this is the time to do so and create your blog Passport.
Post progress milestones
Submit your final entry
Stills Category
You’ll need to provide at least three still images, that together tell the story of your entry.
Feel free to add more but make sure to mark the main three as such. I will provide more information about how to do that towards the final delivery time.
Animation
You’ll need to submit a ONE MINUTE long animation telling the story of your entry.
Feel free to add supporting still images, but know that the animation is what the jury panel will score.
Real-Time
This one is pretty open and the idea is that you’ll surprise us with your entry for this category. Be sure to allow review on desktop too, without headsets. Please also provide a pre-recorded animation of a Real-Time session.
You must clearly mark your final entry upload as such. You will see an option for it in the uploader.
…
HERE ARE THE FULL INSTRUCTIONS :
You’ll use the same upload form, but be sure to pick “Final Entry” in the Milestone Stage field.
I’ll refer to STILL IMAGE upload and indicate any difference for the other two.
Upload the 3 FINAL images the same way you uploaded milestones up to this point.
Image size 2500px on the long side.
Pick your HERO image (Image No. 1) as the “Project Featured Image” and upload the other TWO images in the “Additional Project Images” field. We need these so it shows on the challenge showcase.
For Animation
Also, provide a link to download your animation. Be sure there are no copyright issues with any music you use.
For Real-Time
Also, provide a link to download your application so we can experience it and also a pre-recorded session you made.
GOOD LUCK
If something is not clear – please ask on TALK or use the Contact Form below.
Offer feedback to fellow challengers
This is a very important aspect of the challenge. Helping others before getting help for yourself. I suggest that before any milestone update you make for your own entry, offer feedback for someone else. That would be the minimal expected engagement level. Do aim for more!
Single artist personal entry
The work you submit to this Challenge must be your own personal works for the most part. Use of pre-made assets allowed, but keep the main work yours. Single submission per artist only. No team category this time.
Winners are required to write a MAKING OF
No explicit content
No plagiarism
Can I publish the content about the working process of my entry on social media during the competition?
yes! please be sure to point back to the challenge with this URL – https://rcl.ink/rqXRJ
Is it okay to work with photo backplates of the site, and then combine 3D and 2D painting on top?
Yep! That is ok, just be sure your main subject is 3d 😉
I don't have the Substance Suite. What do I do?
Substance by Adobe will grant you access for the duration of this challenge. Just be sure to hit the “Count me in!” button at the top of this page – this is how we know we should arrange access for you.