We built a bespoke web platform that allows architectural visualisation clients to manage projects, assign rendering perspectives, and provide digital feedback in one secure location.
What we did
- Development of a secure, tiered-access client web portal
- Creation of an interactive floorplan POV inspector tool
- End-to-end project management workflow architecture
- Real-time digital image markup and collaborative commenting system
- Automated client onboarding and asset collection modules
- Scalable hosting infrastructure implementation via AWS
About the project
Modunite is a specialist in the construction and architectural sector, providing high-fidelity visualisations that help developers and architects bring their visions to life. In 2023, they identified a significant bottleneck in their production cycle. While their creative output was world-class, the administrative process of managing multiple client projects, gathering assets, and handling feedback was becoming increasingly complex and fragmented.
Tinderhouse was commissioned to design and build a bespoke solution that would act as the digital backbone of the company. This involved a deep dive into their internal processes to create a portal that didn't just store files, but actively managed the workflow from the first point of contact to the final delivery. By focusing on a high-performance web development strategy, we created a platform that simplifies the interaction between Modunite’s production team and their global client base.
To ensure the project delivered value quickly, we followed a minimum viable product strategy during the initial phases. This allowed us to launch the core portal and onboarding features first, providing immediate relief to the Modunite team while we refined the more complex interactive tools, such as the floorplan inspector. This phased approach ensured that every feature was tested by real users in the construction industry, leading to a more robust and intuitive final product.
The Challenge
The primary challenge for Modunite was the reliance on manual systems that could no longer keep pace with their growth. Managing large-scale construction visualisations requires precision and clear communication, both of which were being hampered by fragmented tools. Key pain points included:
- Project data was scattered across emails, spreadsheets, and various cloud storage platforms, making version control difficult.
- The process for clients to specify a "point-of-view" (POV) for a 3D render was manual and often led to misunderstandings.
- Feedback on visual drafts was provided via long email threads, making it hard for artists to pinpoint exactly which part of an image required changes.
- Onboarding new clients involved a significant amount of administrative time to collect brand guidelines, site plans, and project specifications.
- There was no single source of truth for project status, leading to frequent manual status updates for clients.
Our Solution
A Centralised Project Hub
We designed the Modunite portal to be the definitive "single source of truth" for every project. From the moment a client is onboarded, they have access to a secure dashboard where they can track the progress of their visualisations in real-time. This business app development approach focuses on operational efficiency, removing the need for constant status update emails and ensuring that both the client and the Modunite team are always on the same page regarding timelines and milestones.
The Floorplan POV Inspector
One of the standout features of the platform is the bespoke floorplan inspector. We developed a tool that allows clients to upload their architectural floorplans and interact with them digitally. Clients can drop markers on the plan to indicate exactly where they want a 3D camera to be positioned and in which direction it should face. This eliminates the guesswork for the 3D artists and ensures that the rendering process starts with 100% accuracy, significantly reducing the need for costly revisions later in the project.
Digital Image Markup and Review
To streamline the feedback loop, we integrated a custom image markup tool. When a draft render is uploaded to the portal, clients can click directly on the image to leave comments or draw annotations. This provides the creative team with precise, contextual feedback. By centralising this process, Modunite has transformed what was once a convoluted review cycle into a streamlined, collaborative experience that feels more like a modern SaaS development product than a traditional service-based interaction.
Robust and Secure Infrastructure
Given the sensitive nature of architectural plans and intellectual property, security was a non-negotiable requirement. We utilised a modern front-end framework integrated with ExpressionEngine as the content management backbone. This was hosted on AWS to ensure high availability and data redundancy. As experienced Expression Engine developers, we were able to customise the CMS to handle complex relational data between clients, projects, and specific visual assets, ensuring the system remains fast even as the database grows.
The Results
The implementation of the Modunite portal has fundamentally changed how the company operates, providing a professional and scalable platform for their international clientele.
Reduced Administrative Overhead: Automated onboarding and asset collection have reduced the time spent on project setup by over 40%.
Faster Feedback Cycles: The digital markup tool has shortened the revision process, allowing for quicker project sign-offs and improved production throughput.
Enhanced Client Experience: Modunite’s clients now enjoy a premium, branded experience that reflects the high quality of the visualisations they are purchasing.
Elimination of Errors: The floorplan inspector has virtually eliminated camera-placement errors, saving hours of re-rendering time per project.
Scalable Business Model: With the new portal in place, Modunite can handle a significantly higher volume of projects without a proportional increase in administrative staff.
Technical Highlights
Front End: Modern, responsive UI designed for both desktop and tablet use for on-site reviews.
CMS Architecture: Bespoke ExpressionEngine implementation to manage complex construction project hierarchies.
Backend Logic: PHP and MySQL for high-speed data processing and secure user authentication.
Interactive Tools: Custom JavaScript-based canvas tools for floorplan POV pinning and image annotations.
Hosting: AWS (Amazon Web Services) for secure, scalable, and reliable cloud infrastructure.
Security: Multi-tiered user permissions and encrypted data storage to protect client intellectual property.
Ready to Streamline Your Business Operations?
Whether you need a bespoke client portal or an MVP development plan to modernise your legacy systems, our Kent-based development team has the expertise to build it. We specialise in creating tools that solve real-world operational challenges.