3D Handheld Scanning of Historic Buildings

Lucion was approached to carry out surveys and create a Revit model to demonstrate the impact of a proposed tram extension on the local area.

Oriel College, with its rich history dating back to the 14th century, stands as a testament to the evolution of academic architecture. The college’s ‘Island Site’, a secluded area accessible through limited entrances, houses a complex network of buildings spanning five storeys and encompassing approximately 200 rooms. These structures, having been expanded and modified over centuries, present a unique challenge in terms of structural assessment and documentation.

The college authorities recognised the need for a comprehensive survey of the ‘Island Site’ to evaluate its physical condition and prepare for future renovations or alterations. This required the creation of detailed floor plans and elevation drawings that would capture not only the basic layout but also the quirks and irregularities that make Oriel College unique. The project aimed to provide a precise digital record of the buildings’ current state, serving as a crucial tool for ongoing maintenance and potential restoration efforts.

12,000m² Area Surveyed

20 Work Days Saved

15mm Accuracy Level

Challenges

Time Constraints: As an active academic institution, Oriel College couldn’t afford prolonged disruptions. The survey needed to be completed swiftly to minimise interference with daily operations, especially during the exam period.
Complex Architecture: The unconventional layout and intricate network of rooms posed significant challenges for traditional surveying methods. The diverse use of spaces, from lecture halls to student accommodations, added another layer of complexity.
Privacy Concerns: With over 500 students and staff occupying the college, the survey method needed to respect privacy, particularly in residential areas.
Accuracy Requirements: Despite the time pressure, the survey had to maintain a high level of accuracy to be useful for future structural assessments and renovations.
Historical Significance: The historical importance of the buildings demanded a non-invasive approach that wouldn’t risk damaging any part of the structure.

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Solutions

To address these challenges, the project team opted for the GeoSLAM ZEB-REVO, a handheld mobile mapping tool utilising 3D simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) technology. This innovative solution offered several advantages:

Speed: The ZEB-REVO could record over 43,000 measurement points per second, allowing for rapid data collection.
Accuracy: The technology provided an average accuracy level of 15mm, meeting the project’s precision requirements.
Non-invasive: The scanning process was completely non-contact, ensuring no risk to the historical structures.

The survey was conducted over five days, with 12 individual ZEB-REVO scans completed. Each scan took approximately 30 minutes, covering a total area of 12,000m².

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Successful Project Delivery

The use of advanced 3D SLAM technology resulted in several positive outcomes for Oriel College:

Time Efficiency: The project was completed in 24 days, including 10 days for CAD drawing production. This was less than half the time estimated for traditional static surveying methods.
Minimal Disruption: The speed of the survey process ensured that daily college activities were minimally impacted.
Comprehensive Documentation: The resulting 3D point cloud and CAD drawings provided a detailed and accurate representation of the ‘Island Site’, including all structural irregularities and historical modifications.
Cost-Effectiveness: The reduced time on-site and streamlined data processing led to significant cost savings for the college.

The success of this project demonstrates the immense value of employing cutting-edge technology in heritage conservation. For institutions like Oriel College, such innovative approaches not only save time and resources but also provide unprecedented insights into their historical structures.

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Trusted Surveying Solutions

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Lucion Surveying is a full member of The Survey Association

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AGI Individual Membership

Lucion’s GIS Associate Director Ben Blowers is a member of The Association For Geographic Information.

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It is a legal requirement in the UK for Ground Penetrating Radar users to hold an Ofcom licence, the licence needs to be renewed every three years.

Lucion Surveys are licence holders 0996045/1

Unleash the power of 3D Modelling

Unlock the true potential of your project with our cutting-edge 3D laser scanning and advanced 3D model visualisation expertise. Our team of experienced surveyors excels in creating customised 3D Revit models, point clouds, orthographic elevations, floor plans, and captivating 3D fly-throughs that bring your vision to life. With our meticulous approach and unwavering commitment to accuracy, we deliver a precise digital scale model that simplifies project comprehension and empowers you to make informed decisions. Elevate your project to new heights and experience the transformative power of our innovative surveying solutions.

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Testimonials

For nearly two decades, Lucion has been our go-to partner for geotechnical testing.

Their expertise in this specialised field has been invaluable to our landscape consultancy work. Lucion’s consistent reliability and high-quality results have supported us in numerous projects, including our significant contribution to the 2012 Olympic Park and Athletes Village projects. Their technical proficiency and long-standing commitment to our needs have made them an integral part of our success.

I would highly recommend Lucion for any organisation seeking trusted geotechnical laboratory services.

Tim O’Hare Partner & Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates LLP

We recently engaged Lucion Delta-Simons Ltd to help on our ESG and Carbon Reduction journey. To be honest, we didn’t know what we didn’t know, and the last 6 months have been an eye-opener and a great learning curve.

Taking us through this journey, Rob Molyneux and Rob Dadzie, have both been extremely professional, helpful and enthusiastic. They have been flexible and patient, making the journey to a positive ESG disclosure easier.

We are nearing the end of the scope of work, with the exception of our end-of-year GRI report, but I’m sure we will be back annually for ESG Performance Validations and Carbon Assessments.

The team have done a great job, and I look forward to continuing to work with you.

David Robinson HSE & ESG Director Innovo Build UAE

In the dim and distant past I used to work as a surveyor down the pit, so this project was of great interest to me. It was rewarding seeing so many of the modern technologies now used in surveying being combined to produce a comprehensive survey of this historic building.

Eric Hinds Project Lead

This was a really interesting project for us on such a historic site. It required a range of different survey techniques to complete, from a traditional topographic survey, to laser scanning and the use of a drone. All done to a tight timescale to the satisfaction of the client.

Eric Hinds Project Lead

Since joining the Water Team in 2023, I have worked on a variety of projects, including both transactional and planning work across the UK. Opportunities to work on various climate change related projects including completing physical climate and BREEAM reports means that no working week is ever the same! As charity coordinator, I’ve organised a number of events for the Manchester office and taken part in the Cambridge Half Marathon with colleagues. This was a great way to meet other teams across the business!

Tess Webb-Jones Graduate Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant