3D House Model
Role: Student Project
Tools Used: Blender
Course: Design Application, Bellevue College (Fall 2022)
For this project, I wanted to challenge myself by learning a design tool I had little experience with. Our assignment was to choose any design-related project, work on it throughout half the quarter, and submit progress checkpoints along the way. I chose to model a house using Blender because I wanted to learn a 3D program, explore something outside of my comfort zone, and create work that could add value to my portfolio.
My goal wasn’t just to build a structure, but to understand how 3D design translates into real-world applications, especially for layout, lighting, and interior design.
Process
Starting the Foundation
I started by building the exterior walls. Using a plane and extrusion, I created the perimeter, added height, and carved in space for doors and windows. Once I was happy with the outside structure, I moved on to the interior walls and mapped out the spaces I wanted: a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry room, storage space, and stairs (originally planned for a second floor).
The workflow for the interior walls mirrored the exterior approach. I extruded walls for height and added openings for interior doorways to define each room.
Designing the Interior
After the structure was finished, I added furniture, doors, and windows to start shaping the personality of the home. During this stage, my professor encouraged the class to pay attention to contrast. I decided on a white and gold color palette because I wanted the space to feel elegant and modern. I also incorporated wood textures to add warmth and natural contrast.
I evaluated the model in both color and grayscale throughout the process to make sure values were balanced and intentional.
Refining the Layout
As the project moved forward, I realized I wouldn’t have enough time to build the second floor, so I adjusted the layout. The original storage room became a den and the staircase area turned into a new storage space.
I also added small décor pieces to help the model feel lived-in and realistic. These included things like lamps, plants, a TV remote, magazines, and snacks. Flooring was another important finishing detail. I added carpet to cozy rooms like the bedroom, living room, and den, wood flooring in the kitchen and dining space, and tile for the laundry and bathroom to help differentiate functionality.
Results and Reflection
Even though I wasn’t able to complete the final render due to file size limitations, I’m proud of the work I created and everything I learned in the process. This was my first time working in Blender and my first time building something fully from scratch in a 3D environment.
If I recreated this project, I would approach it with a few changes:
• Render at each milestone to avoid losing progress
• Plan window placement earlier in the layout process
• Add more functional details like switches and outlets
• Learn Blender file size optimization earlier to avoid rendering issues
This project helped me build confidence in learning new tools and exploring new areas of design. It also taught me a lot about decision-making, iteration, and pushing through uncertainty when trying something completely new.
