Case Study: Apartment Roxane

Client: Cecchi & Partners

Location: Lugano, Switzerland

Type: Interior Visualization & Cinematic

Bringing Atmosphere to Life

Cecchi & Partners approached us with a special task: to create a cinematic visualization for a newly purchased apartment — a flat named Roxane — nestled in the heart of Lugano. The aim was to allow their client to visualize not only the space, but the atmosphere and mood it would eventually embody once furnished and complete.

What made this project unique wasn’t just the architecture or furniture, but the emotional tone the client wanted to evoke. We were given a detailed moodboard that emphasized deep shadows, dim lighting, and warm tones — a nod to a retro aesthetic filled with intimacy and softness. The light in the reference images played a central role, so recreating its depth and behavior became a priority from day one.

Here is part of the moodboard we received:

From the talented Laurence Simoncini

Dual Concepts, One Direction

Before production on the full cinematic began, we developed two distinct design concepts for the apartment. This involved modeling the layout and rendering a series of stills to showcase how each configuration would look and feel. These proposals were delivered to the client’s client for review, allowing them to confidently choose their preferred direction.

Once the favorite was selected, we moved ahead with the video.

Configuration 1 - kitchen by the door

Configuration 2 - kitchen by the corridor

Technical Workflow & AI Integration

Creating a 1.5-minute cinematic with warm, moody interiors while keeping render times manageable posed a real challenge — especially with demanding surfaces like velvet, which are notoriously difficult to render cleanly.

To meet the delivery deadline without sacrificing quality, we implemented three key AI-based techniques:

1. Frame Interpolation: We rendered only 25% of the frames, then used AI interpolation in DaVinci Resolve to generate smooth 60fps motion.

2. Denoising: We reduced render samples and used Pidgeon Tools' AI denoiser to clean up the image while preserving key details.

3. Upscaling: To speed up rendering, we worked at half-resolution and then upscaled the footage to 1920x1440 using AI.

   
   

The choice of 1920x1440 was deliberate — the 4:3 aspect ratio adds a nostalgic touch, reinforcing the flat’s vintage design cues.

Custom Modeling for a Tailored Result

While we received a full list of furniture pieces and finishes, several items didn’t exist in online libraries. To maintain accuracy, we custom-modeled several key elements: the kitchen, bed, dining bench, sofa, and a distinctive vintage floor lamp. These details ensured the final video reflected the client's specific vision down to the smallest piece.

For instance, here's a reference picture of the lamp, our model in the software and the rendered 3d lamp.

Outcome

The final cinematic captured the cozy, moody charm of the Roxane apartment and left both Cecchi & Partners and their client highly satisfied. After initial delivery, the only requested change was the addition of a closing shot — a small adjustment that confirmed the project hit the mark.