Building surveyors at Pick Everard are using the latest point cloud laser scanning technology as part of a £7.5million project to restore the roof and glazed facades of the Stirling-Gowan Engineering Building at the University of Leicester.
Pick Everard has been appointed as Design Coordinator and Designer with Contractor Lend Lease to improve the environmental performance of the Grade II* listed building, recognised nationally as one of the most important and iconic buildings of the 20th century.
Restoration involves replacing each of the 2,500 glass panels of the unique 45-degree, patent-glazed, diamond-shaped roof, designed to provide north light to the engineering research laboratories.
Pick Everard is skilfully and expertly guiding detailed design work through liaison with English Heritage, who recognise point cloud laser scanning technology as a method particularly suited to recording the existing condition of complex or intricate structures and artefacts because it produces the highest levels of survey record.
Typically a building survey would capture 100 to 200 measurements in a day compared with the 250million to 500million measurements gathered using point cloud laser scanning technology. Accurate measurements are captured three-dimensionally at a rate of around 50,000 measurements per second, over distances of up to 60 metres. The point cloud measurements are a starting point and are then used in a number of applications such as graphics, animation and modelling software to produce detailed designs for the client and contractor.
Andrew Almond, partner, leading Pick Everard’s team explains: “We’re working to incredibly tight tolerances so accuracy is an absolute must. Traditionally, surveyors have gathered information manually on paper and by referencing original design and construction drawings - very time consuming and prone to human error.
"Laser scanning provides faster data capture and improves the level of detail and accuracy. That means fewer site visits and exceptionally high quality, three-dimensional images that dramatically speed up the detailed design process.”
Using this technology is an integral part of Pick Everard’s adoption of information-rich Building Information Modelling (BIM) systems to meet the requirements of the UK Government Construction Strategy for all project and asset information, documentation and data to be delivered to BIM Level 2 by 2016.
Andrew adds, “It’s always a challenge to refurbish a building while it remains in use. This project has the added dimension of the listing and because there’s also sensitive equipment within the University’s departments. Using the latest technology provides the team with an accurate, virtual environment to resolve any design and logistics issues before starting on site.”
Restoration work on the roof is due to be completed by November 2014.
