A computer-implemented method for creating a translucent surface within a three-dimensional model, the method comprising: receiving a surface placement request that comprises a computer instruction for placing the translucent surface within the three-dimensional model, wherein: the translucent surface is selected to comprise a particular type of translucent material, and each particular type of translucent material is associated with specific translucency characteristics; rendering the three-dimensional model of a layout of a design space within an architectural design environment; identifying a first portion of the three-dimensional model that is positioned behind a translucent surface within the three-dimensional model; rendering a visual distortion effect for the identified first portion of the three-dimensional model, wherein the visual distortion effect comprises a distortion algorithm that receives input variables based upon the specific translucency characteristics; and displaying on a display device the three-dimensional model comprising the translucent surface, wherein the three-dimensional model is displayed behind the translucent surface in a distorted form based on the rendered distortion effect; wherein rendering a visual distortion effect for the identified first portion of the three-dimensional model comprises: identifying a target pixel that is to be distorted; randomly selecting one or more other pixels surrounding the target pixel to blur into the target pixel; masking a second portion of the three-dimensional model that surrounds the translucent surface and that is not being distorted; determining whether one of the selected one or more other pixels originated from the masked second portion of the three-dimensional model; and if the result of the determining step is positive, excluding the one of the selected one or more other pixels from being blurred into the target pixel. the translucent surface is selected to comprise a particular type of translucent material, and each particular type of translucent material is associated with specific translucency characteristics; rendering the three-dimensional model of a layout of a design space within an architectural design environment; identifying a first portion of the three-dimensional model that is positioned behind a translucent surface within the three-dimensional model; rendering a visual distortion effect for the identified first portion of the three-dimensional model, wherein the visual distortion effect comprises a distortion algorithm that receives input variables based upon the specific translucency characteristics; and displaying on a display device the three-dimensional model comprising the translucent surface, wherein the three-dimensional model is displayed behind the translucent surface in a distorted form based on the rendered distortion effect; wherein rendering a visual distortion effect for the identified first portion of the three-dimensional model comprises: identifying a target pixel that is to be distorted; randomly selecting one or more other pixels surrounding the target pixel to blur into the target pixel; masking a second portion of the three-dimensional model that surrounds the translucent surface and that is not being distorted; determining whether one of the selected one or more other pixels originated from the masked second portion of the three-dimensional model; and if the result of the determining step is positive, excluding the one of the selected one or more other pixels from being blurred into the target pixel. identifying a target pixel that is to be distorted; randomly selecting one or more other pixels surrounding the target pixel to blur into the target pixel; masking a second portion of the three-dimensional model that surrounds the translucent surface and that is not being distorted; determining whether one of the selected one or more other pixels originated from the masked second portion of the three-dimensional model; and if the result of the determining step is positive, excluding the one of the selected one or more other pixels from being blurred into the target pixel.