What Is Future View Photography and Why Developers Use It Before Breaking Ground

December 19, 2024 - 3 minutes read

Future view photography gives people a preview of what a building will look like before it’s built. It shows accurate views from future apartment windows using drone view photography and 3D simulations. This tool helps developers, designers, and marketers make better decisions early in a project.

What Is Future View Photography?

Future view photography uses drone view photography and visual simulations to create accurate images of a future building’s outlook. It helps answer questions like:

  • What will residents see from their windows?
  • How much natural light will come in?
  • Will nearby buildings block the view?

By using real drone images and digital renderings, developers get a clear picture of the future.

How It Works

  1. Drone Captures Real-World Views
    Drones fly to the planned height and position of each apartment. They take photos in all directions.
    Example: For a 15-storey apartment, the drone captures views from levels 1 to 15.
  2. 3D Models Get Merged with Drone Images
    Designers overlay digital models of the future building into the drone photography. This creates realistic apartment view simulations.
  3. Visuals Are Used for Key Project Decisions
    These images support design validation, planning approvals, and off-the-plan sales.

Why Developers Use Future View Photography

1. Design Validation

Before construction starts, developers need to check if the design works in the real world.
Example: Will the balconies have a good view? Will taller buildings next door block the sun?

Future view photography helps teams adjust layouts, angles, and window placements before it’s too late.

2. DA (Development Application) Submissions

Planning departments often ask for visual impact assessments.
Example: Councils want to know if the building will block views or cast long shadows.

Using future view photography, developers can submit accurate, clear visuals that improve the chances of approval.

3. Off-the-Plan Marketing

Buyers often commit before the building is finished. They want to know what their future home will look like.
Example: Real estate agents use future view images to show a buyer the exact outlook from Apartment 8B.

This builds trust and helps boost sales early in the project.

Real-World Example

A Sydney developer used drone view photography to capture outlooks for a 20-storey tower. They overlaid the design with 3D models and used the visuals for:

  • Gaining fast-track DA approval
  • Redesigning balconies to maximise water views
  • Selling 60% of units off-the-plan within three months

Conclusion

Future view photography gives developers a powerful edge. It combines real drone images with accurate digital models to show exactly what future residents will see. From better design choices to stronger sales tools, this technology helps projects succeed—long before construction starts.

Want to show your future buyers exactly what they’ll see? Visual Spaces delivers true-to-life view simulations with drone photography and expert 3D integration. Contact us today to bring your future project into focus—before you break ground.