Habitat 67

Explore the iconic

Revered as one of the most significant buildings of the 1960s, Moshe Safdie’s Habitat 67 seamlessly united the functional and the fantastic in an imaginative approach to affordable housing. Sadly, scope and funding never aligned to bring the project fully to life, and it has been remembered as something of an unfinished dream. Neoscape collaborated with Epic Games and Safdie Architects to create a real-time, virtual version of Habitat 67 as originally envisioned. Our ambition? Inspiring the next generation of artists, architects, and urban planners, while showcasing the value of both this development and Epic Games’ Unreal Engine.

From the 1967 Montreal World’s Fair to Unreal Engine

This project originated when Epic Games approached Neoscape to develop a proof-of-concept piece for Unreal Engine 5.2 – one that would demonstrate the program’s standout capabilities. As partners of Safdie Architects for over 30 years, we were familiar with Habitat 67, a project originally unveiled at the Montreal World’s Fair by Moshe Safdie. Our team decided to showcase Unreal’s boundless potential through a virtual version of Habitat 67, serving two of our clients in one industry-disrupting endeavor.

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“
We are very happy with the result, and our executive team has shared high praise. The end result has impressed our division leads and those who approved the production of this project.
”

Carlos Cristerna Senior Product Specialist, Unreal Engine

Our archviz history for our industry’s future

Tranquil pond filled with water lilies beneath Habitat 67’s bold angular structures and pink blossom trees

Founded by architects, we have archviz expertise in our DNA. From VR and AR to immersive environments, Neoscape has always existed on the interactive edge within the industry. Epic Games recognized our expertise in this area, as well as our familiarity with Unreal Engine, a tool we’ve used on high-profile projects including Studio Gang and AMNH’s Gilder Center in NYC. This combination made us the perfect choice to provide feedback in the beta phase of Unreal Engine 5.2, as we developed and tested the virtual Habitat 67.

Aerial view of stepped triangular terraces with lush greenery and elevated pedestrian pathway below

Reflective water feature sits beneath angled concrete arches supporting Habitat 67’s geometric architecture

Close-up of Habitat 67’s box-like units with large windows and greenery on staggered balconies

Ferris wheel in foreground with Habitat 67's pyramid structure visible across water

Cozy modern interior with leather seating, blanket-covered bench and scenic window views of the landscape

Contemporary open-concept living room with ample seating, staircase, and built-in bookshelf near windows

Nighttime dining nook with wire chairs and minimalist shelving adorned with modern decorative accents

Close-up of LEGO figure posed beside architectural model, with blurred background of warm apartment lighting

Rooftop patio scene with wooden deck, plants and lounge furniture overlooking downtown skyline at twilight

Composing a captivating reality

Daytime aerial shot of Habitat 67’s triangular housing modules aligned along the waterfront boulevard

Sunset aerial photo of stepped concrete housing and riverside road bathed in golden atmospheric light

Neoscape combined existing building scans with unbuilt portions of Safdie’s design to create the photoreal, interactive virtual version of Habitat 67. Complete with gardens, traffic conditions, and other remarkable details, this simulation captured Habitat 67 as it was originally envisioned. Our final product held day-to-night mode and an impressive collection of finishes, centering on user experience above all else.

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Abstract view of Habitat 67's geometric facade with glass panels reflecting nearby architectural elements

Creating a new kind of technical marvel

Habitat 67 pushed the known range of archviz, using 4.5 billion triangles and real-time lighting, without ever allowing a drop in quality. Existing structural details were gathered by our partners’ LiDAR drone scans. High-resolution aerial photography ensured no part of the development was overlooked. Our artists consulted the McGill Archives to accurately depict unbuilt portions of the original design, and combined datasets into a single 3D model using RealityCapture. In Unreal Engine 5.2, we wielded features like Nanite and Lumen lighting to accomplish photoreal detailing and design a continuous experience for users across the real and the rendered.

Immersive with an impact

This project demonstrated the many ways in which archviz can be powered by real-time rendering, eliminating traditional time constraints and unlocking new experiences for both architects and stakeholders. Our involvement led Unreal Engine to further refine its capabilities for our industry, saving time and costs for future projects by unlocking instant design iterations. From the virtual Habitat 67, Safdie Architects could derive endless content, from stills and animations to VR tours. It was our honor to serve both of our partners in this undertaking, as well as our own curiosity.

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Real-Time Environment

Team