by Kerry Hansen
Tag
remodeling
Design Contest – Remodel / Addition
Chief Architect Design Contests are a fun way to share your designs, build credibility and expose your brand. Share one of your Remodel or Addition Designs for a chance to win Chief Gear. Use any Chief Architect or Home Designer software product to create your original design.
(more…)Best Practices for Entering to Win a Home Design Contest
by Each month we receive a great selection of renderings created by our users for the Chief Architect Design Contests. We’d like to share some ideas and suggestions for how you can craft a great design contest entry that Facebook voters respond positively to. These techniques can be applied when entering a Chief Architect Design Contest, or any other home design contest you might be considering. Let’s get started!
One of the best, and most obvious, aspects of a great design contest entry is a nice rendering. However, it’s also important to supplement the rendering with a well-written description along with your contact information; this is a perfect chance to show off your skills and share your story! We then recommend sharing the post on your own social media channels for the best exposure, we’ll get to this part in a bit.
(more…)Winners of the 2021 Design of the Year Contest
By 
Congratulations to the Chief Architect Design of the Year Winners!
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DIY Kitchen Remodeling with 3D Home Design Software
by Kerry Hansen
Dan and his family wanted to remodel their kitchen. They turned to Chief Architect to visualize the design and help with material selection.
When the time came for a kitchen upgrade, Dan Absalonson, a 3D artist on the Chief Architect content team, used Chief Architect’s flexible cabinetry features and the wide range of objects and materials available in the 3D Library. Together with his wife Kadi, they set their sights on a kitchen remodel. The tile and grout countertop on the island is what brought them to remodel. “My wife was not a fan.” With a budget set, the couple brainstormed all of the updates they could make to enhance the look and usability of their kitchen. “We got excited about replacing the laminate countertops and adding some new full height cabinets at the end of the kitchen as a pantry.” The previous owners had a large desk there, and as it was, the kitchen ended abruptly. The space felt empty and awkward. Dan and Kadi decided to paint the cabinets, replace the countertops, expand the island, add full-height cabinets, install new fixtures, and incorporate a few other touches.
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Winning Designs – August’s Remodel/Additions Design Contest
There were many great designs in the August Remodel/Additions Design Contest. Help us in congratulating the winners!
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Design of the Year Contest Winners
Congratulations to our Chief Architect Design of the Year winners!
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Winning Designs – August’s Remodel/Addition Design Contest
From adding completely new accommodations, to breathing fresh life into outdated designs, we’ve had some outstanding entries in the August Remodel/Addition Design contest. Join us in congratulating the finalists on their award-winning designs!
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A Designer’s Journey from Hand-Drafting to Design Software
Have you spent hours laboring over a drafting table? Remodel/ Addition Design Contest winner Sandra Lukas can relate.
Sandra’s winning design in the Chief Architect Remodel/ Addition Design Contest caught our attention and inspired us to learn more about her story. It turns out that she hand-drafted designs for high-end spec homes for years before making the jump to Chief Architect’s Home Designer Professional software. Follow along as she takes us on a trip down memory lane from her days of hand drafting to how she discovered and fell in love with design software.
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The Live-in U-Haul: An Award-Winning Design
Emma Baumann is a high school student with a passion for interior design who placed 2nd in the Chief Architect Remodel/ Addition Design Contest. She’s intrigued by architecture that adapts to the evolving demands of life during COVID-19. Her winning remodel creatively converts a U-Haul into comfortable and stylish living quarters.
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About Chief Architect
Chief Architect Software is a leading developer and publisher of 3D architectural home design software for builders, designers, architects and home DIY enthusiasts.
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What Our Customers Are Saying
Great job Chief Architect team!
I’ve had great results using this software. I started with Home Designer Pro and then moved to Chief Architect Premier. I really like the way the software is set up, it’s much easier to use than other products. My clients… love the 3D renderings and I know it’s helped me get new projects. Great job Chief Architect team! Read more “Great job Chief Architect team!”
Scott Johnson
Instantly fell in love…
I instantly fell in love with the easy to learn, user-friendly interface, and the details it was capable of capturing. My clients have been very happy with their design, the process, and the finished product.
Abe Neufeld
Chief Architect’s 3D Viewer Mobile App
We had one client who took his home model and projected it onto his lot in the mountains using Chief Architect’s 3D Viewer mobile app. While using the Augmented Reality feature he was able to walk around his home and get… a feel for the layout. He sat and waited in his “living room” to see what the fall sunset would look like out of his living room window. At that moment he said he was sold. It was his home. This is the opportunity that I would love to allow every client to have. Read more “Chief Architect’s 3D Viewer Mobile App”
Steve Johnsen
Will pay for itself in one job!
I have been using Chief Architect since late 2005. As I tell everyone who is interested in doing 3D design, Chief Architect is the best way to go. It is a powerful program, easy to learn and use, is at… a great price and will pay for itself in one job. Read more “Will pay for itself in one job!”
Mark Supanchick
A very powerful tool
I am an interior design professional who has been using Chief Architect software for my business since 2010. The software is a very powerful tool I use on all my projects and allows me to create detailed plans, elevations and… very impressive 3D renderings for my clients. The software has taken time to learn, but the support from Chief is quick and helpful, and the tools including videos and online forums also very helpful. Read more “A very powerful tool”
Kirsten Dumo
Chief Architect does it all! It is the bread and butter of my business.
“I haven’t had to look for any other programs when it comes to designing. Chief Architect does it all! I think my business is a Chief Architect success story in itself. It is the bread and butter of my business, and without… it, I couldn’t do what I do for a living! I get to work with clients nationwide because the software enables me to design spaces from my computer.” Read more “Chief Architect does it all! It is the bread and butter of my business.”
Cortney Smith
Absolutely Indispensable!
We use Chief Architect every single day and it is an absolutely indispensable part of our business. The ability to show a client, with extreme accuracy, what a space will look like before the work has even begun is everything.
Robby & Lisa Griffin
The rendering quality and user-friendliness are unmatched!
I have been using Chief Architect since 2015 and have used a few other software programs in the past, but the rendering quality and user-friendliness are unmatched! This software helps clients truly envision their project coming to life, and helps… close sales because there is a sense of confidence in what their final product will look like. Read more “The rendering quality and user-friendliness are unmatched!”
Savanna Beyer
Chief Architect Software helps clients visualize the proposed designs.
Not only does Chief Architect Software create beautiful renderings, but it is imperative that I can also create drawings that are clean and straightforward for our contractors to reference on-site. Every client is so impressed with the renderings Chief Architect… Software produces, and the walkthroughs help them visualize my proposed designs. Almost every time, the walkthrough helps us finalize the details in one sitting instead of going back and forth during several meetings. Read more “Chief Architect Software helps clients visualize the proposed designs.”
Judi Lee-Carr
This program changed my career.
I started using Chief Architect as just to show interior room concepts but it has grown to producing full exterior views and selling more then just interiors but selling full build concepts. I work with a builder and our business… has seen a huge impact from being able to show prospects and current clients how things would look etc. Read more “This program changed my career.”
Janel joppie
I love Chief Architect… It allows me, as well as many others, to truly succeed
I was the only drafter-designer using Chief Architect in Southern California, or at least it felt that way. I was beating my competitors 99 times out of 100. Customers would always choose me because I could provide 3D renderings. I love Chief Architect…… It allows me, as well as many others, to truly succeed. Read more “I love Chief Architect… It allows me, as well as many others, to truly succeed”
David Michael Theis
State-of-the-Art Virtual Reality
I’ve found that Chief Architect really helps the clients that have a hard time visualizing what their finished project will look like.
Vincent Livingston
The best home design software we’ve ever used!
The best home design software we’ve ever used! Finally, a program that works or “thinks” like a designer as opposed to a program for the manufacturer of boxes or materials. Great quality renderings too.
Mark Cobucci
A Magical Tool!
This has quite literally changed my business, by showing clients what their space will look like before it is built is a magical tool.
Gabriele Pizzale
Lifeblood of my business
I love the capabilities that Chief Architect has over all other design software! I am able to create floor plans, electrical plans, schedules, elevations, and RENDERINGS very fast (plus so much more)!! This tool allows me to give my clients… an amazing experience and create incredible designs. My business would not be the same without it, and I recommend it to everyone! Read more “Lifeblood of my business”
Jasmine Galle
Great for Residential Design
I think Chief Architect is a large component of my success in Residential Design
Sean Bulman
Total no brainer
Renting the program has made the commitment to Chief a total no brainer … I am among many designers that find the program not only profitable but fun to use.
Brian Farris
Farris Construction
Kudos for making the student a priority
Students have asked about Chief Architect more than any of our other programs. I use it at the end of the semester because if I used it in the beginning, I would never get them to move on to other… units… It will be the one program students will use voluntarily and will assure me learning is taking place at home. Plus it will make me the most popular teacher. ha ha Read more “Kudos for making the student a priority”
Karen Armstrong
A Game Changer
Chief Architect has been a game-changer for me, it offers a very efficient workflow with an output that makes my clients feel individual. The documents look crafted and relate to the project, not generic. Chief covers the whole spectrum from… 3d visuals through to detailed sections, plans etc and even offers a 3d viewer app for construction professionals and clients alike to share 3d models. This would, could, and should be a global market leader with just a couple of tiny tiny tweaks! The house in the picture is in outer London England. The work has commenced, all detail and outline designs were produced within Chief Architect. The pen should be an intuitive tool to convey ideas and information and not entirely a skill of its own, Chief has nailed it! Please remember CA, Interiors are only 1/10th of architecture. Read more “A Game Changer”
Philip Hurdwell
Thank you Chief Architect for a great program.
Since we have been using Chief Architect, we have been able to give our customers a complete visual of what we proposed for their project, as well as, boost our credibility, our sales, and our overall profit for all projects… we have sold. Thank you Chief Architect for a great program. Read more “Thank you Chief Architect for a great program.”
Jason Crawford
Nebraska Handyman
Invaluable Asset
From the start, Chief has become an invaluable asset to my company and design work. I am truly grateful for this software and am so glad that I had given it a try.
Giuseppe Rispoli
The Student’s Key to Success
I chose to use Chief Architect [for interior design school] specifically because of its ease of use on the interface, great tutorial videos, alignment with NKBA graphic standards, and the convenience of creating all deliverables from 2D plans to specification… schedules to beautiful 3D renderings Read more “The Student’s Key to Success”
Payal Thakkar
Thank you, Chief Architect!!!
I use Chief Architect software exclusively in my design business. I started out with CA Home Designer Pro, used that for two years, then “graduated” to the full-blown Chief Architect software. The structure and platform of all their products is… identical so, moving up to the next, greater version is SO comfortable! I’m getting raves about the work I’m doing – thank you, Chief Architect!!! Read more “Thank you, Chief Architect!!!”
William Haigh
William Haigh Design
Chief Architect has been invaluable!
We use Chief Architect through the entire design and planning process here at Spectrum Design Group. Having a tool that allows us to “walk” our clients through their renovation in 3-D and incorporate actual specified materials and finishes ensures that… our clients know what the end product will be. It has been invaluable in communicating our designs to not just our clients, but also our contractors. Read more “Chief Architect has been invaluable!”
Cory Rodeheaver
GREAT Software program that lets me be fast and work with 2D and 3D simultaneously!
I have been using Chief Architect for such a long time. In this kind of business, we need to be fast and work with 2D and 3D simultaneously, and Chief Architect is just a GREAT Software program that does both.… I can’t imagine working with a different program that doesn’t give us these tools that Chief Architect does. Read more “GREAT Software program that lets me be fast and work with 2D and 3D simultaneously!”
Javier Montenegro
I think it – Chief allows me to design it
I’ve been using Chief Architect since 2002 – and the program has continued to improve dramatically over the years. The improvements have always reduced drafting time while allowing the design process to flow and be inspired – not hindered –… by the limitations of the program. I’ve never found myself in a situation where I said, “I would love to attempt this design, but unfortunately Chief Architect cannot do this so I must change my design idea”. I think it – Chief allows me to model it – and now – raytrace it photo realistically. I used to export my Chief model into a 3rd party rendering program – now I design and raytrace all within Chief Architect. Read more “I think it – Chief allows me to design it”
Robert Smith
We built our dream home!
It took me two years to design and exactly one year to build our dream home. With the help of Chief Architect, we were able to see our vision come to life. With a custom home, we had to provide… many visuals in the drawing package for the contractors to catch our dream. Chief Architect’s outstanding visualization and renderings made the design and build exactly what we had imagined. Now that we have been in our home for about 3 years, we realize we would not change anything! After we spent so much time during the design process our friends and contractors sometimes offered change suggestions to our design to consider. My pact with my wife “Stick to the Plan” and that’s what we did. We love our home and we want to thank Chief Architect for providing a software product that allowed us to achieve our vision. Now, I am currently using Chief Architect Premier to design a home for my daughter and her family! Read more “We built our dream home!”
Michael S Burt
homeowner designer
Fun, intuitive, user-friendly
You don’t have to be an architect to learn Chief Architect. The software yields impressive professional project results within a fairly short time. The many built-in options provide the user with the tools to try different styles on a wide… variety of objects with the click of a few buttons. Read more “Fun, intuitive, user-friendly”
Veronica Sloboda
Powerful and Easy-To-Use Tools
I have worked in other BIM software before, but Chief Architect makes it easier to put my concepts into drawings, and I can spend more time creating instead of fighting with obscure tools and interfaces. The powerful but easy-to-use tools… along with the realistic rendering capabilities are extremely valuable in my work. Read more “Powerful and Easy-To-Use Tools”
Ethan Smith
Student
Bridging the Gap between 2D planning and 3D Rendering
Every time we are able to walk our clients through their future home or project with the Chief Architect 3D Software, it’s a success. Many of our clients are not visual. Chief helps bridge the gap between the 2D floor… plan and grasping what the finished project will look like. We hear constant feedback on how impressive the capabilities of being able to see the scale of the spaces, customize materials, try different cabinet configurations, etc. We are able to save them so much headache and heartache in the design phase vs. going through a change order process in the field. Being able to offer the 3D aspect for our projects has truly set us apart from our peers. Read more “Bridging the Gap between 2D planning and 3D Rendering”
Luke Sippel
Best Architectural Software!
I’ve been using Chief Architect for over 10 years and would not choose anything else. Other design software just doesn’t compare to Chief, it is by far the best. It is built with ease and simplicity in mind, no need… to load anything in as it comes with everything straight out of the box! There is no limit to what can be modified, everything can be modified to fit your design needs, literally everything! Read more “Best Architectural Software!”
Cody Corbin
Our favorite software
Our favorite software. I have been using chief for about 6 years now, I believe I started in x4. Chief was the clear choice for architectural design and plan sets, with its import and export into other CAD and BIM-based… products, its extensive catalogs, its massive collection of support articles, bustling internet forums and decent rendering abilities. There is no other software on the market that is as user-friendly, capable and fast. We’ve recently started using Chief Architect for market advertisements as well as importing into high-end visual video walkthrough software such as Lumion. We’re quite happy with Chief’s versatility and ever-expanding features. Read more “Our favorite software”
James Daoust
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