What connects you?
Many things connect us: a friendship spanning decades, our studies, a shared vision of digital design, and a dedication to innovation and cutting-edge technologies in photorealism. The founders of the award-winning company High Q Renders, Katerina Bouziana, and Margarita Nikita, uniquely leverage their expertise to create three-dimensional visualizations of their clients’ design dreams.
Katerina Bouziana is an architectural engineer, a graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), with postgraduate studies in parametric and algorithmic architecture at ETH Zurich, and extensive work in ecclesiastical architecture. Margarita Nikita is an architectural engineer and AUTH graduate who collaborates with publishing houses CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, and Kleidarithmos, for whom she has written books on 3D design and photorealism. Her books are used as educational resources in higher education institutions, and she also maintains an educational YouTube channel.
Katerina Bouziana and Margarita Nikita
They founded their company in 2017, choosing San Francisco as their base—a city always at the forefront of developments in interior and exterior design. High Q Renders quickly grew due to the quality of its services, the inspiration of its founders, and their dedication to achieving perfect results. Their collaborations, numerous and significant, began early to extend globally. Their clientele includes former US President Barack Obama, Hollywood stars Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy, Puff Daddy, and Robert Downey Jr., as well as personalities such as members of the Saudi Arabian royal family.
Having established their global position in the field of Rendering, they decided to return to Greece, from where they managed to maintain their international professional activity and enjoy a balance between work and family life. “This balance is ideal for us and allows us to offer the best to both our family and our clients,” they say, discussing their work with Marie Claire, the unique possibilities offered by rendering, and their inspirations.
What drew you to architecture?
From a young age, we were fascinated by how buildings and spaces affect our daily lives. Architecture offers endless possibilities for creativity and expression, while also requiring logic and practicality. This combination captivated us and drove us to follow this path.
What was on your mind when you started your company?
When we founded High Q Renders, photorealism was not yet widespread in architecture and interior design. Working as architects, we noticed how often clients struggled to understand the proposed solutions. It was clear to us that a photorealistic visualization could bridge this gap. High Q Renders serves as a tool for architects and designers to clearly and effectively convey their solutions to the end recipient.
An inspiring example was our collaboration with Eddie Murphy. Eddie wanted to rent a yacht for his vacation in Greece, but a key requirement was that the yacht had a gym because he was preparing for his next movie.
The gym on Eddie Murphy’s yacht.
The yacht owner asked us to visit the yacht to study it and produce photorealistic renderings for approval before construction began. This helped us understand the power of photorealistic visualizations in the future and how essential a tool they would become.
Why did you choose San Francisco as your base?
San Francisco is renowned for its dynamic approach to innovation and design, making it an ideal base for High Q Renders. The city is a major hub for technology and startups, providing us the opportunity to be close to other pioneers in architecture and digital design. The constant flow of new ideas and access to top talent and professionals from around the world creates an ideal environment to develop and evolve our services. Additionally, San Francisco’s urban landscape, with its rich architectural heritage and modern development challenges, inspires us daily. This city is a source of creativity and exploration, making it a natural choice for our company’s headquarters.
How is female entrepreneurship supported abroad and what are the differences with our country?
It is supported by well-organized networks, mentoring programs, and funding initiatives specifically for women entrepreneurs. Additionally, many governments and organizations provide grants and tax incentives to boost female entrepreneurship. In our country, we have seen significant strides in supporting women in business in recent years. The biggest challenge remains overcoming certain social stereotypes still faced by women entrepreneurs in Greece. However, with continued support, female entrepreneurship in our country will continue to grow and achieve notable distinctions. In our journey with High Q Renders, dynamic women in the business world, such as Elena Ambrosiadou, have marked our career from the beginning. We were fortunate to meet her early on, and her dynamism and achievements have certainly influenced us. The presence of such role models is crucial for boosting confidence and encouraging more women to enter the business world.
Explain why 3D modeling is so important.
3D modeling is one of the most powerful tools in architecture and design, as it offers realistic visualization of designs, facilitating understanding and communication among all parties involved. The ability to view designs in three dimensions allows us to identify and correct potential issues before construction, saving time and costs. Additionally, 3D modeling allows easy adjustments to designs according to client needs and serves as an excellent tool for promoting and marketing projects.
Tell us about a use of new technologies in your field that we might not have considered.
One use of new technologies in our field that you might not have considered is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate design practice. AI can analyze vast amounts of data and generate complex design solutions in minimal time, improving the efficiency and accuracy of our proposals. A few years ago, we had the great honor of being asked by the Saudi Arabian royal family to design a sculpture for their annual Alzheimer’s event. At that time, we had to work non-stop for a week, literally 20 hours a day, to deliver hundreds of solutions requiring complex modeling. It was a demanding and exhausting process that required precision and speed. In today’s age, with the use of artificial intelligence, this entire process could be completed in a few hours. AI could create and evaluate thousands of design proposals, adjusting every detail according to the client’s requirements and preferences. This not only reduces the time and effort required by our team but also allows us to explore more creative solutions and deliver high-quality results with greater accuracy and speed.
Where do you draw inspiration for your projects?
Traveling is an irreplaceable source of inspiration. Exposure to different cultures, urban landscapes, and architectural works opens new horizons and helps us think outside the box. Additionally, interacting with our clients is crucial. Understanding their lifestyle and desires helps us create spaces that not only meet their practical needs but also reflect their personality and ambitions.
What is a collaboration that stands out to you?
The collaboration that stands out is with celebrity decorator Kari Whitman. Our client list includes some of the biggest names, such as former President Barack Obama and actors Jessica Alba, Antonio Banderas, and Melanie Griffith. Working with Kari gave us the opportunity to work on high-profile projects and face the challenges associated with celebrity-level projects. The attention to detail, innovation, and commitment to perfection are some of the elements we learned from this collaboration and apply to every new project we undertake.
What is your next project?
Currently, we are excited about our collaboration with a famous American chef and well-known TV personality, who is preparing to open five new fast-food restaurants simultaneously. Four will be located in Florida and one in Alabama. Once the restaurants are completed, we will be able to share more details.
What do you do in your free time?
Because our free time is limited, we always dedicate it to our children and family. Children’s activities, parties, and visits to playgrounds fill our free time. Besides the awards we have received for our company, we must say that we are also champions at inflating balloons for children’s parties!
