Photorealistic visualizations that breathe life into your architectural projects
Created by an architect who understands design, intent, and how clients read space
When the visuals fall short, the design is misunderstood
Architects and developers often struggle to communicate the true quality of a project when the visuals do not show the space, light, and materials with enough accuracy.
Clients hesitate, presentations lose clarity, and good ideas fail to stand out.
Strong visuals remove doubt and let the design speak for itself.
Breaking Clouds is an architectural visualization studio specializing in high-quality, photorealistic residential renderings for architects and boutique real estate developers.
You’re not alone, and here’s how I can help
Hi, I’m Cătălin Sandu
An architect and interior designer who turned to architectural visualization after years of working directly with residential clients and developers. Architecture has always fascinated me, not just as finished buildings, but as stories shaped by space, light, and emotion. Some projects get built, others stay on paper. My work brings all of them to life.
Architectural visualization studios that focus on residential projects differ from generic 3D rendering providers. They work from architectural drawings and coordinated 3D models, prioritize correct proportions and material behavior, and aim to translate design intent rather than invent it. This approach is essential for custom homes and small residential developments, where visuals must align with real construction logic and client expectations
Architectural visualization is not a technical step for me. It’s about capturing the essence of a space, interpreting proportion, material, and atmosphere in a way that feels honest. I want people to sense something when they look at an image: warm light on a facade, the calm of a remote cabin, or the clarity of a well-designed home.
This background shapes every rendering I create. Your work is seen and interpreted by someone who understands design logic, communicates fluently with architects, and respects the intention behind every project.
Work that speaks for itself
What to expect from working with me
High-quality deliverables
Photorealistic renderings that bring your vision to life and resonate with clients and stakeholders.
Collaborative process
I take the time to understand your design so every image aligns with your goals and reflects the essence of the project.
Efficient turnaround
You get reliable delivery and a workflow that supports your schedule without compromising quality.
Versatile expertise
With a background in architecture and a deep understanding of visualization tools, I adapt to the needs and constraints of each project.
Get a Quote
Share a few project details and I will return with a clear timeline and cost estimate
Straightforward workflow
Share your project files
Drawings, 3D models, mood images, or site photos, whatever helps me understand the brief.
Receive a custom quote
You get a clear price, scope, and timeline based on the complexity of your project.
Preview and refine
You will receive early drafts for review so we can adjust composition, materials, or lighting before moving to final quality.
Get final high-resolution deliverables
Production-ready deliverables, sized and optimized for presentations, proposals, or marketing.
Testimonials
“Cătălin is not only an excellent 3D artist, but, perhaps more importantly, a superb communicator. He took the time to clearly articulate his questions, ensuring that all uncertainties were addressed and that the final images captured the tone I was aiming for. His attention to detail, combined with a seemingly intuitive grasp of composition and depth, gave me full confidence to work with him again.”
Ravi Handa, RHA
Ravi is a licensed architect based in Montreal, specializing in residential design, concept development, and construction administration. His practice is dedicated to what physical space makes us feel. Devoted to showcasing the inherent beauty of the natural environment, RHA aims for all projects to be graceful additions to the landscape.
“Working with Cătălin was a key part of building LifeEdited from the beginning.
He brought a thoughtful approach to design and a strong sense of visual storytelling to every project. Whether we were developing early concepts or finalizing presentation renderings, his input consistently clarified the design direction and strengthened the final result.
His ability to think spatially, solve tricky layout challenges, and communicate ideas through photorealistic renderings made him a trusted and essential part of our team for years.”
Graham Hill, The Carbonauts
A true O.G. with 25 years in the sustainability movement, Graham Hill is a leading serial entrepreneur. He founded TreeHugger.com in 2004, the groundbreaking green lifestyle blog that became the most trafficked of its kind and was acquired by Discovery in 2007. He later launched LifeEdited, a small living consultancy with projects featured on the cover of Dwell, in The New York Times, and in two main-stage TED talks with over 12 million views. He currently leads The Carbonauts, which delivers high-impact employee engagement workshops for Fortune 1000 companies.
Who I work with and why
Residential architects and designers seeking drawing-accurate visualization support
I work directly from architectural documentations to produce visuals that reflect real proportions, materials, and spatial intent. The focus is accuracy and clarity, not speculative imagery, so visuals can be used confidently during design development and client reviews.
Custom home builders and design-build firms presenting projects before construction
I help builders present unbuilt homes through realistic exterior and interior renderings that communicate scope, finishes, and atmosphere early in the process. This supports client approvals, pricing discussions, and marketing efforts before construction begins.
Property developers needing reliable visuals for sales, planning, and investor materials
I create consistent, high-quality residential visuals for planning submissions, investor decks, and sales materials. The workflow is structured and predictable, making it suitable for multi-unit projects and phased developments where reliability is essential.
Studio
14 Barbu Mumuleanu, 2nd floor, unit 15, Bucharest, 020543, Romania
Hours
Monday–Friday
10am–6pm (UTC+02:00)
Phone
+40 730 051 127
Email
hello@breakingclouds.com
Breaking Clouds is operated by SC Studio Cătălin Sandu SRL, a company registered in Romania
Company Registration no.: 47065103
European VAT ID: RO47559409
Trade Register no.: J40 / 21184 / 2022
Frequently Asked Questions
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I mainly work on residential architecture, from single-family homes to small multi-unit developments and design-led prefab or modular projects. Most collaborations are with architects, designers, and boutique developers who already have a clear design and need strong visuals to communicate it.
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Architectural studios and residential developers who care about design quality and accuracy, and want imagery that supports decisions, presentations, or marketing, not just something that looks good at first glance.
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Both, depending on the project.
Sometimes I step in purely for visualization, other times I’m involved earlier, helping refine materials, layouts, or overall direction where design and imagery overlap. -
I work in a structured but flexible way that keeps the visuals aligned with the design intent from start to finish. We review things early, adjust where needed, and only move forward once everything feels right. This avoids unnecessary revisions and ensures the final images accurately represent the project and are ready to be used with confidence.
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Smaller scopes can take a few days to a week. More complex projects usually take up to two weeks. I’ll always confirm timing upfront so there are no surprises.
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My background in residential architecture and interior design helps me catch issues early and stay aligned with the design intent, not just the visuals.
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Typically one or two rounds, depending on scope. If more changes are needed, that’s never a problem, they’re just handled transparently.
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Final images are usually delivered at 6K–8K resolution, suitable for presentations, websites, and print. If a lower resolution makes more sense for speed or budget, we can adjust.
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Yes. The cost of high-quality 3D assets and textures required to produce the images is included in my fees. These assets are used as part of the visualization process and are not delivered separately as standalone files. There are no unexpected add-ons later.
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Pricing depends on complexity, number of images, and how the visuals will be used.
That can be per image, per package, or hourly for more design-driven work. You’ll always get a clear estimate before anything starts. -
I don’t usually offer financial discounts, but ongoing collaborations naturally allow for added value. This can take the form of extra visuals, additional revision rounds, or a bit of extra time spent on the project, depending on the scope. The focus stays on improving the end result rather than reducing quality to meet a lower price.
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Typically plans, elevations, sections, or a 3D model, along with material references and any visual direction. If something is unclear, I flag it early rather than guessing.
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Send a short overview of your project through the contact or quote form. I’ll review it and suggest the best next step.