Architectural Animation Cost per Minute: From $1,500

Praxis Studio’s architectural animation starts from $1,500 per project, and we quote by running length, number of scenes and level of detail rather than a flat per-minute rate. A short single-building walkthrough sits at the start of that range. Longer films, more camera moves and busier environments are quoted individually, in writing, before work begins. Two revision rounds are included.

Dated 27 October 2026. By Dhaval Parikh, Praxis Studio.

Why there is no honest flat per-minute price

Two films of equal length can differ many times over in work. A slow single camera move through one lobby needs one lit scene. A fast cut through five locations needs five. Any per-minute figure hides that gap, so we price the scenes and the length together and show you the quote.

What sets the price

• Running length. Longer films need more frames, more review and more editing.
• Number of scenes and camera moves. Each new location is a scene to build, light and check.
• Environment, people and vehicles. A street with traffic and pedestrians costs more than a quiet courtyard.
• Source quality. A clean 3D model or dimensioned drawings from SketchUp, Revit, Rhino or CAD keep both cost and schedule down.

What the starting price includes

A camera-led walkthrough or flythrough of your design, an edited cut with music and two revision rounds. Further rounds, or design changes after approval, are scoped separately. See the full table on the pricing page.

Stills first, or an animation?

If the question is which to commission first, stills are the cheaper way to test the angles and the materials before a film locks them in. The still frames you approve can then set the look of the animation. Our note on sequencing stills and a short flythrough covers the order.

A quote, step by step

1. You send the 3D model or drawings, the intended length and where the film will be shown.
2. We list the scenes and camera moves we would build and confirm what is outside the standard scope.
3. You receive a written quote with the schedule. Animation is scheduled in the quote, not on the 3 to 5 business day clock that applies to stills.

Related questions

• Can I use frames from the animation as stills? Yes. High-resolution frames can be pulled for print and web.
• Walkthrough or flythrough? A walkthrough follows a human-height path; a flythrough uses a high, aerial path to show the site. Many films combine both.
• What about VR? VR is a separate deliverable, from $3,000 per project. See VR for architects.

Next step: send the drawings and the running length for a written quote. More on the service: architectural animation.