Mention "architectural rendering" and most people conjure up images of weary-looking little men hunched over drafting tables, toiling laboriously to execute every meticulously drawn line perfectly Maybe they'll even envision ancient Roman architect Vitruvius painstakingly poring over De Architectura, struggling with every word and illustration in his lengthy tome.

According to Vitruvius, architecture must not only be durable, but it must also be useful and beautiful. Or, to coin a phrase, "both decorative and functional."

Architecture no longer simply refers to a building's exterior structure. Nowadays, it also relates to the interior environment and overall flow of a living space. If your building's interior doesn't live up to the expectations of its exterior, you may not be using your space to its best possible advantage. That's when developers, realtors and architects know it's time to consult a professional design firm to make valued recommendations.

When choosing a design firm, look for a company that uses cutting-edge technology and can provide you with the most realistic architectural renderings possible. Look for a firm that can convert standard CAD drawings into striking three-dimensional renderings that look amazingly lifelike.

An architectural firm on the brink of tomorrow's technology can assess your space and will know how to work with you. Such a firm will develop an interior plan that takes into consideration the architectural integrity of your building's exterior, while reflecting your personal taste, style and flair.

You need someone who will undertake your project efficiently and with the flexibility to try new ideas, someone with a vision and capacity for spatial design. But all the ideas in the world don't do a bit of good if you can't see what the designer is envisioning for your space. You also need a design professional who can convert ideas to actual renderings - ideally, a professional who can provide animations and 3D visualizations and renderings.

And you want someone who pays attention to the details. Your architectural renderings should include realistic environmental elements - like trees and bushes, landscape-design components even sidewalks with teensy people walking along them.

But you don't want to pay an arm and a leg. You want something cutting edge, yet cost efficient and practical. Oddly enough, a professional architectural design firm skilled in providing 3D renderings could be less expensive than a traditional design company that drafts with outdated software - or by hand.

Oh, and before you go and dismiss Vitruvius' relevance to modern architecture, consider this: He was a true visionary. When De Architectura was published, lawn mowers and bulldozers were centuries from being conceptualized. Yet his first volume encompasses many subjects that now fall into the realm of landscape architecture. Say what you want about those ancient Romans but they were a visionary bunch!