In 2024, HISM Studio, a high-end architectural visualization studio with offices in Lviv, Rotterdam, and Barcelona, launched one of the most ambitious competitions in the ArchViz industry: the Badgers Battle: Freedom Museum. The contest quickly became a milestone event in the global 3D architectural visualization community, attracting participants from nearly 70 countries and bringing together hundreds of visual storytellers to explore the theme of freedom through 3D rendering.

Redefining Competitions in Architectural CGI

The concept behind Badgers Battle was straightforward yet powerful: challenge artists to interpret freedom in a universal language — architecture. Contestants were provided with a detailed 3D model of a museum, designed by architect Alisa Kutsenko, and tasked with creating two final renderings (interior and exterior) alongside software viewport screenshots. Submissions were judged by a panel of industry leaders against professional criteria including concept, realism, composition, lighting, and materials.

By focusing on creative storytelling through architectural CGI, HISM ensured that the contest transcended a typical rendering challenge. Each image wasn’t just a visual product but a statement, a narrative built on high-end 3D rendering techniques and artistic vision.

A Stage for Global Talent

The response was overwhelming: 461 artists registered, representing an unprecedented level of international engagement in the ArchViz world. Entrants ranged from rising talents to experienced professionals, proving that 3D architectural visualization is a truly global discipline.
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First Prize

€2,000 and a job offer at HISM went to Stepan Kotyk, whose winning renderings of the Freedom Museum captured the jury’s attention with a perfect balance of photorealism, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

Special Prize

A one-on-one master class with HISM’s founder was awarded to Oleksandr Riabokin, who invited the most participants to join the competition.

This prize framework emphasized not only financial reward but also career development, mentorship, and direct pathways into professional practice at a high-end architectural visualization studio.

Elevating the Standard of 3D Rendering

For HISM, Badgers Battle was more than a competition-it was a strategic platform to inspire, discover, and connect talent worldwide. By organizing this large-scale event, the studio demonstrated its position as a thought leader in the architectural visualization industry, and its dedication to fostering growth in the community.

The competition also reinforced a critical truth: 3D rendering is not just a technical service but a medium of cultural and artistic expression. With freedom as its guiding theme, the entries showcased the versatility of architectural CGI to communicate universal ideas, emotions, and values through design.

The contest will be remembered as a landmark in 2024, setting new standards for creative rendering competitions. For the hundreds of participants, it was a chance to gain exposure and validation on a world stage. For the ArchViz industry, it was proof of how far 3D architectural visualization has evolved-from technical drafting support to an art form at the intersection of design, culture, and storytelling.

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