Why Architects Need Point Cloud Data For Their Next Project

The role of an architect is both varied and skilled. From creating designs for new construction projects to planning alterations and redevelopment, they hold specialist construction knowledge and insights that enable them to effectively produce highly-skilled building designs that are functional, safe and aesthetically pleasing. When planning and designing a job, whether it’s an extension or a complete remodel, point cloud data offers architects a comprehensive understanding of the space they are working with, along with real-world conditions and allows for better control of building management in the future. By adopting this technology, as an architect, you have the ability to save time and money, while gaining much-needed insights into the space you are working with.

What Is Point Cloud Data?

Point clouds are made up of a set of points located in three-dimensional space. When you combine thousands of these together, they give you a detailed impression of a surface. You could almost think of it like the outer crust of an object. When it comes to projects that involve existing buildings, it’s essential to be able to capture the existing condition of the building. This is what point clouds allow you to do.

So how is point cloud data Kapchered (see what I did there…)? Laser scanners, such as Faro Focus S or Geo Slams Zeb Horizon, are needed to capture 3D points with high accuracy. You then need to decide what tool to use, which is another blog post in its own right.

The Benefits To Architects

Simply put, we believe that point cloud data is a no brainer for the architect industry. Adopting this technology into your day-to-day workflow offers greater insight and understanding into a space, providing you with more to work with.

Let’s face it, when designing and building something off an existing floor plan and a couple of site photos, it’s almost impossible to get a comprehensive understanding of the space, let alone the real-world conditions that you will face there. Point cloud data allows you to take measurements, such as distance, height and area. You can also remove walls, windows and other features, to play around with the space you are working with and explore all options for the future design.

Think about it this way, it’s like being able to design a project as if you are really there on site. But you don’t even have to leave your desk.

Let’s look at an example. Imagine if you needed to change or redesign any part of the building, such as the pitch of the roof. You would need to attempt to calculate the existing pitch of the roof so you are able to remodel what you are designing. If you had a point cloud data set of the roof you needed to remodel, you could simply import this into the CAD system and directly remodel whatever you desire straight from the point cloud. You can do this knowing it is going to work with what is existing. It takes out all the guesswork. There is no need to “hope” that this is right, to waste time on site visits, or put someone’s life in danger to measure things for you. This saves time and money with a simple bit of information collected at the very start of the project. If you like this, you may be interested in our other article about switchboard inspections as part of building management

The Advantages of Accessible Data

There are many advantages that come from being able to access the data whenever and wherever you like. The best part about point cloud data is that it is accessible from anywhere. This allows you to:

  1. Connect with clients: you can pull it up in a meeting with your client, while trying to explain to them why you have designed things the way you have and how it all works. With point cloud data of their existing building, you can show them exactly what you are referring to, without trying to defend the intricacies and expertise of your job. Being able to present this information to your client not only sets you up as an industry professional, but it also negates the chances of wires getting crossed or misunderstandings occurring that could be detrimental to the job.
  2. Streamline all parties involved: another huge advantage to having a point cloud data set for your project is that this information can be used across the board with all parties involved. From the builder to the engineers, everyone has access to the same information allowing them = a complete understanding of what is entailed with the project. This ensures that everyone that is invested is on the same page of what is involved, removing any guessing games.
  3. Create plans and BIM models of the finished product: we all know that throughout the construction phase things change and people forget to note what has been done differently to the original design. When creating builds without point cloud data, it is a long process to make sure it is correct. A quick laser scan provides you with highly detailed information and a complete understanding of the final build and the space that has been created. This information can then be used in the future for whatever the client wants from facility management to a future remodel and for property insurance and building management. Truth be told, we could go on and on about why we think point cloud data is essential for architects, but we don’t want to bore you with a novel. If this has interested you and you want to learn how you can integrate this technology and information into your daily work flow, then reach out to us and we would be more than happy to aid in this process.

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