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As-Built Documentation for Renovation Projects – 3D Laser Scanning of an Old Farmhouse
Project Overview: Precise Survey for Full Renovation Planning
In Wattenwil near Bern (Switzerland), a historic farmhouse that had fallen out of regular use due to high maintenance costs was scheduled for full renovation and reuse as a residential building. For this project, precise as-built documentation for renovation projects was required to support planning, design decisions and cost estimation.
Since no reliable plans existed, the architectural office AAP Atelier für Architektur und Planung AG was commissioned to carry out the 3D laser scanning survey and evaluation.
Why 3D Laser Scanning Was the Optimal Survey Method
Old farmhouses often have irregular geometry owing to historical construction techniques and settling over time. Traditional measurement methods can struggle to capture such complexity efficiently, and missing or inconsistent documentation increases planning risk. In this project, 3D laser scanning provided a precise and complete dataset suitable for detailed planning in CAD.
For this reason, a FARO Photon 120/20 laser scanner was used. Over two full days of on-site work, the team captured around 30 individual scans covering all important surfaces, including:
- facades,
- internal floor plans,
- load-bearing structure,
- and architectural details necessary for renovation planning.
The point cloud data was registered using reference targets to ensure spatial accuracy and full coverage of the building geometry.
From Point Cloud to Planning Deliverables Using PointCab Origins and ArchiCAD
Once the raw scan data was collected, the exported point cloud was processed with PointCab Origins, enabling fast extraction of key deliverables:
- accurate floor plans,
- sections, and
- facade drawings.
Thanks to PointCab Origins’ workflow, these outputs were quickly read into the customer’s CAD system, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, where they served as the basis for further planning and material estimation. The clarity and accuracy of the extracted plans helped determine rehabilitation needs, material quantities, and cost implications early in the project.
The combination of scan capture and software evaluation significantly reduced manual drawing work and enabled planners to focus on design and implementation rather than re-measurements.
Why As-Built Documentation Is Essential for Renovation Projects
This farmhouse case demonstrates several clear advantages of using 3D laser scanning and point cloud processing for renovation:
- Precise real-world geometry: captures every irregularity and construction detail that would otherwise be missed on paper plans.
- Efficient workflow: rapid on-site scanning and fast post-processing deliver usable CAD data in a short timeframe.
- Planning confidence: reliable digital data reduces risk when estimating effort and materials for big renovation decisions.
- Seamless integration: outputs easily transfer to common CAD systems for further design and documentation.
For renovation projects of older buildings, especially those without current documentation, this approach is a strong foundation for both the design process and accurate cost planning.
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