3D laser scanning and as-built surveys of existing buildings

In a 3D building survey we capture a building inside and outside in three dimensions, usually with a 3D laser scanner. The result is a point cloud of millions of single points. It shows the building with millimetre accuracy. From this data we derive floor plans, sections, elevations, virtual tours or a complete 3D building model.

A 3D building survey is a reliable basis for planning and construction, above all when you convert, modernise or extend an existing building. Often there are no current plans, or the existing documents no longer match the real building.

Typical uses are building drawings, facade surveys for new balconies or for listed buildings, as-built documentation, the calculation of living and rentable area, certificates of self-containment and as-built data for BIM.

Depending on your needs, you receive scaled and dimensioned floor plans of all storeys, elevations and sections, a georeferenced point cloud or a detailed 3D building model. The model can include more information such as pipes, building services, materials or wall build-ups. It is then a basis for BIM.

On request we also provide a viewer. With it you can move through the building virtually and measure distances and angles yourself.

This happens often, especially with older houses, with an inheritance or when the original building documents are lost. For a mortgage, a follow-up loan or a sale, banks often ask for current building drawings to assess the value of the property.

In this case we survey your house on site with a 3D laser scanner. It is quick and easy, and you do not have to prepare or clear anything. From the data we create scaled, dimensioned floor plans of all storeys as well as elevations and sections that show the real state of your house. On request we also calculate the living area, which banks often ask for too.

You receive the documents as a PDF and, if needed, on paper, so that you can hand them in directly at your bank. Please contact us, we are happy to advise you without obligation.

An accurate 3D building model starts with a survey of the existing building. We capture your building inside and outside with a 3D laser scanner, static or mobile depending on the object. In a short time this gives a point cloud of millions of points with millimetre accuracy.

From this data we model your 3D building model. We agree the level of detail with you first: from a simple block model, for example for visualisation or marketing, to a detailed model with walls, openings, stairs and roof structure as a basis for conversion, renovation or extension. On request we can also insert a planned extension or new building into the model.

We can also provide a viewer, so you can move through your building virtually and take measurements yourself. Please contact us, we advise you which level of detail makes sense for your project.

In structural monitoring we survey buildings and structures at regular intervals to detect movement, deformation or settlement early. This matters for bridges, for buildings in areas with settlement or for neighbouring buildings during large construction work. By comparing the measurements, even small changes can be proven and documented reliably, so that action can be taken in time.

BIM stands for Building Information Modeling. It is a way of working in which all relevant information about a building is combined in one digital 3D model. This BIM model shows not only the geometry but also information about each building part, for example materials, wall build-ups or building services. The result is a digital twin that can accompany the whole life of a building, from planning and construction or conversion to daily operation.

For existing buildings the model is based on a precise survey, usually by 3D laser scanning. This is also called BIM as-built data capture or „scan to BIM“.

Classic building drawings such as floor plans, elevations and sections show a building in two dimensions. Each drawing shows only one part, and every change must be added to all affected plans one by one. A BIM model is a three-dimensional digital copy of the whole building in which each building part is its own object with properties. A wall is not just a line but a building part with position, thickness, material and build-up. Floor plans, elevations and sections can be taken from the model at any time, and changes appear in all views automatically.

For many projects, for example for the bank or a building application, building drawings are fully sufficient. A BIM model pays off above all for large conversion or renovation projects with several planners and for long-term facility management. We are happy to advise you on the right solution for your project.

In principle every building can be captured for BIM, regardless of age, size or use. Our projects include residential and commercial units, department stores and factory halls. For older buildings without plans or with outdated plans, the survey is especially valuable because it documents the real current state reliably.

The level of detail depends on how the model will be used. There is the geometric level of detail, meaning how exactly building parts are shown, and the information content, meaning which extra data such as materials or technical properties is stored. For space planning a simple model is often enough, while renovation or facility management needs much more detail.

We advise you which level of detail makes sense for your project, so that you do not get too little information and do not pay for details you do not need.

We deliver the model in the format that you or your planners need for further work. The open exchange format IFC is often used because all common BIM programs can read it. On request we also provide the point cloud and 2D plans such as floor plans, elevations and sections.

Please contact us early so that we can agree on the right format.

We show real situations realistically in a 3D model, for example buildings, plants, components or ship structures. This creates clear and informative images that make complex situations easy to understand at a glance.

We record the situation on site with suitable measuring equipment, for example by 3D laser scanning. We can also use existing digital data.

Yes. We show the existing situation realistically and add the planned building on request. So you can judge before construction how the project fits into its surroundings.

Our visualisations cover buildings and structures as well as industrial plants, components and ship structures. Examples are 3D building models, point clouds of ship structures or models of ship glazing.

Yes. Our laser scans can be coloured with an integrated HDR camera, so that the point cloud shows the object in realistic colours.

From the scan data we can create virtual tours that let you move digitally through a building or plant. This makes planning, coordination and presentation easier without everyone having to be on site.

We provide a viewer for this. We agree with you beforehand which solution suits your project best.

They are a basis for planning and coordination with all trades, for presentations to building owners, investors or authorities and for documenting the current state, for example for conversions, refits or listed buildings.