Recent events have led to a massively increased focus on ensuring that buildings are transparently compliant with regulations. This runs alongside a need to make them more energy efficient than ever.

The combination means that construction firms and architects must manage an even greater amount of documentation, including more retrospective data. Companies are increasingly finding themselves in need of documentation that covers the existing construction conditions of sites or structures. There is pressure to provide a forensic perspective and map outcomes.

Greater demands for caution and pinpoint control in construction

It is an era of far greater caution and scrutiny within the construction sector, especially with inherited sites or buildings.

New builds need to be based on thorough site condition mapping. Renovating old buildings means evidencing that existing features and materials don’t impact negatively on safety, energy efficiency or the general living environment. Providing sufficient proof is onerous enough, but particularly challenging when the site or building has missing or incomplete documentation.

Fortunately, it is a problem that can be solved using advanced technology to create optimal design imagery.

Forensic and predictive modelling of sites

The existing conditions of both sites and structures can be measured and analysed using Building Information Modelling (BIM), 3D scanning or a combination of both.

This provides architects, contractors and engineers with the tools and methodology they need to plan and co-manage building projects more seamlessly, and pool expert knowledge on any likely gaps or issues.

BIM and 3D laser scanning – integrated together – provide a strong competitive advantage and basis for lean working, when investigating sustainability and energy-efficiency. Models can be created to show existing conditions of the site then simulations can take the project forwards, mapping intelligent outcomes and interventions, to show progression to compliance and energy efficiency.

Seeing the building evolution in this format – and mapping the likely outcomes visually – provides a rich source of shared ideas and a strong collective vision. Communication is therefore greatly improved. Also, not one party could ever claim to be unaware of vital issues affecting the integrity of the project.

Danish cemetery halted major development

A building project in Copenhagen provides a vivid example of how effective it can be to combine BIM and 3D scans to evaluate the condition of a site, in order to map a way forwards.

There was an abandoned construction site right on the main street through the Danish capital, adjacent to an ancient church. The original work had unwittingly uncovered the remains of hundreds of children, believed to date back to the Middle Ages. Archaeologists took over the site, money for the planned developed dried up, and the original developer pulled out.

Fast forward ten years. Recently, a new project was launched to create commercial real estate on the site of the former graveyard, under the guidance of respected Danish firm Zeso Architects. BIM was commissioned to create models, and 3D laser scanning provided invaluable data on the condition of the site.

The terrain and infrastructure around the location and objects of interest were used to inform the best ways to proceed. Work can now begin with confidence and cost control to create the new office complex at this location.

Well informed decision-making builds reputations and buildings

Having this level and complexity of intel makes it far more possible to plan and deliver new buildings, on sensitive or challenging sites. Not least as it avoids wasted time and resources, finds cost effective solutions and improves the likelihood of adhering to environmental considerations.

If you need reliable and concise data to underpin safety or energy-efficiency aspects of a complex site, the combination of both Building Information Modelling and 3D laser scanning can reduce time in pre-planning, and streamline the development’s life cycle. It can also map outcomes more effectively.

A relatively small investment to secure a more seamless and obstacle-free building development, that can even tick the right boxes even when existing documentation leaves gaps.

Contact us for details and to discuss this in relation to your building development.