Heritage Archive - Pointcab https://pointcab-software.com/en/tag/heritage/ ALL point clouds. ONE software. Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:54:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://pointcab-software.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-PointCab_Favicon-32x32.png Heritage Archive - Pointcab https://pointcab-software.com/en/tag/heritage/ 32 32 Laser scanning technology helps preserve and repurpose a historic masonry building in Crete https://pointcab-software.com/en/laser-scanning-technology-helps-preserve-and-repurpose-a-historic-masonry-building-in-crete/ Fri, 01 Oct 2021 10:33:04 +0000 https://pointcab-software.com/?p=9807 Laser scanning technology helps preserve and repurpose a historic masonry building in Crete Nicole Oktober 1, 2021 12:33 Postgraduate students at the Technical University of Crete used a combination of a Trimble Laser Scanner, PointCab Origins Pro, and Autocad to obtain and document the exact geometry of a historic masonry structure with the purpose of […]

Der Beitrag Laser scanning technology helps preserve and repurpose a historic masonry building in Crete erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]>

Laser scanning technology helps preserve and repurpose a historic masonry building in Crete

Postgraduate students at the Technical University of Crete used a combination of a Trimble Laser Scanner, PointCab Origins Pro, and Autocad to obtain and document the exact geometry of a historic masonry structure with the purpose of its structural rehabilitation.

The island of Crete, Greece is known for its beautiful landscape and rich history. It’s the birthplace of the first European advanced civilization, the Minoans, and was shaped by the Mycenaeans, Romans, Osmans, and many more. The traces of these cultures can still be found all across the island in different archeological remains.

One of them is a two-century-old residential masonry, built during the Osman rule. It has been abandoned for the last 70 years and is the former residence of the wealthy Seimeni family. As one of the few remaining buildings of that type of local architecture in the region, it bears great historic value. In order to preserve and repurpose the building, exact documentation of its geometry was required, among other factors, in order to assess its structural integrity and the degree of necessary strengthening interventions. The building is planned to be restored in the next years and to be used as a local folk art museum.

Postgraduate student Eirini Chorianopoulou, supervised by Professors Maria Stavroulaki and Nikos Skoutelis decided to exploit the benefits of the latest laser scanning technology available. Since there were parts of the building that could not be approached and a distant measurement technique was needed, using simpler tools and techniques would not suffice. Therefore, an accurate digital representation of the building in its condition before the restoration could be captured. 

This will give future visitors the chance to understand and compare the prior and current state and appreciate the work that will be done in order to preserve the authenticity of the structure after its restoration. With the purpose to obtain the geometric properties of the structure, the Trimble X7 3D laser scanner was employed. A number of 25 scans were used to generate the point cloud. All the data was imported as e57 format files and edited in PointCab Origins Pro. Accurate plans, sections, and elevations of the structure were created at all necessary levels and were exported as .dwg files for further editing in Autocad. Postgraduate researcher Evangelos Nitadorakis, responsible for handling the point cloud evaluation, found himself satisfied with the results that the use of PointCab’s Origins software provided: 

“The accuracy of the generated sections allowed the identification and quantification of pathology indicators such as wall inclinations not visible with the human eye and remote measurements in parts of the structure that are not easily accessible. In addition, the delta analysis tool helped to distinguish even the slightest deviations in vertical levels. Furthermore, with a proper combination of all the data from Origins, an exact 3D model of the structure was created in a FEM analysis software and structural and dynamic analysis were conducted in order to assess the fragility of the structure under various loading cases. Employing PointCab Origins, we appreciated the easy handling, the speed of data processing, and the quality of the outcomes.”

Der Beitrag Laser scanning technology helps preserve and repurpose a historic masonry building in Crete erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]> Facade elevation of a listed industrial building https://pointcab-software.com/en/facade-elevation-of-a-listed-industrial-building/ Sun, 02 Dec 2018 14:54:57 +0000 http://2020.pointcab-software.com/?p=7282 USER STORY Facade Elevation of a Listed Industrial Building: Precise 3D Survey for Renovation Planning Contents Requirements: Documentation of facadeChallenges of Capturing a Listed FacadeSurvey Execution: 25 Scan Positions and Efficient Data CaptureFrom Point Cloud to Digital Plans Using PointCab Origins and GeografWhy Detailed Facade Documentation Matters for Preservation Projects Requirements: Facade Documentation of Listed […]

Der Beitrag Facade elevation of a listed industrial building erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]>

USER STORY

Facade Elevation of a Listed Industrial Building: Precise 3D Survey for Renovation Planning

Text: User Story. Facade Elevation of Listed Industrial Building

Contents

Requirements: Documentation of facade
Challenges of Capturing a Listed Facade
Survey Execution: 25 Scan Positions and Efficient Data Capture
From Point Cloud to Digital Plans Using PointCab Origins and Geograf
Why Detailed Facade Documentation Matters for Preservation Projects

Requirements: Facade Documentation of Listed Building

Facade of heritage building in Magdeburg

In Magdeburg, a historic industrial building subject to preservation orders was undergoing conversion into residential loft apartments. To comply with heritage requirements and support renovation planning, highly accurate, true-to-scale documentation of the building’s facades was essential. Traditional measurement approaches were not feasible due to the narrow working space and the structure’s height, so a 3D laser scanning survey was commissioned. The 3D laser scanning survey, as well as the processing and modeling of the point cloud data was carried out by Laserscanning Europe.

Challenges of Capturing a Listed Facade

Fassade-Industriegebäude-Magdeburg

The building’s complex geometry presented multiple challenges:

  • The facades reach up to 17 m in height, making direct manual measurement risky and limited by space.
  • The east facade features multiple offsets and sloping sections, requiring detailed mapping to capture elements such as window surrounds and wall protrusions.
  • As a listed structure, all renovations must align with heritage preservation requirements, which demand accurate documentation of existing conditions before design can proceed.

These conditions made non-contact 3D laser scanning the only practical method to achieve comprehensive and precise data.

Survey Execution: 25 Scan Positions and Efficient Data Capture

Faro-Laserscanner-vor-Fassade-Industriegebäude-Magdeburg

The team performed a total of 25 laser scanner setups across the three principal facades, covering a facade area of 1,720 m². Only one surveyor was needed on site, and the total scanning time was approximately 5 hours.

The result was a dense and complete point cloud representing all facade details – including irregularities and features that are critical for both preservation and renovation planning.

The rapid creation of scaled orthophotos allowed for quick analysis in Geograf.
Eric Bergholz
CEO, Laserscanning Europe GmbH
Dez. 2018

From Point Cloud to Digital Plans Using PointCab Origins and Geograf

man sitting in ftonz of laptop. PointCab Origins is open.

Once the laser scanning was completed, the raw point cloud data was processed with PointCab Origins:

  • True-to-scale orthophotos were generated automatically.
  • The orthophotos and extracted measurements were imported into the CAD system Geograf within one hour.
  • Detailed 2D plans, including facade drawings and crack documentation, were created at a 1:50 scale.

This workflow enabled architects and engineers to immediately begin modeling and detailed planning for renovation and conversion. The CAD deliverables supported both the artistic design and the technical compliance needed for a listed building.

Why Detailed Facade Documentation Matters for Preservation Projects

For any structure under heritage protection, understanding the existing condition – especially at high resolution – is vital:

  • Preservation orders require that original characteristics be respected in renovation.
  • Irregularities (cracks, offsets, sloping segments) must be precisely recorded before any intervention.
  • A digital record supports historical documentation and prevents speculative or inaccurate reconstruction.

By using 3D laser scanning and rapid orthophoto generation, the project team not only met the strict accuracy requirements but also sped up the planning process, saving time and reducing risk during subsequent project phases.

Want to keep up with the latest pointCab news?

Then follow us on Social Media or subcribe to our newsletter!

Envelope Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin-in Youtube

Der Beitrag Facade elevation of a listed industrial building erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]> Surveying Dunelm House https://pointcab-software.com/en/surveying-dunelm-house/ Sat, 01 Dec 2018 13:43:31 +0000 http://2020.pointcab-software.com/?p=7170 USER STORY Surveying Dunelm House – home of the Durham Univerity Students’ Union (DSU)​ Contents Dunelm House: Why a Precise 3D Survey Was Needed​The Challenge: Complex Roof and Difficult Site Conditions​How the Survey Was Completed: Laser Scanning + GPSFrom Point Cloud to Plans: Deliverables in Four DaysHow the Digital Survey Supports the Renovation Process​ Dunelm […]

Der Beitrag Surveying Dunelm House erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]>

USER STORY

Surveying Dunelm House – home of the Durham Univerity Students' Union (DSU)​

User Story: Dunelm House

Contents

Dunelm House: Why a Precise 3D Survey Was Needed​
The Challenge: Complex Roof and Difficult Site Conditions​
How the Survey Was Completed: Laser Scanning + GPS
From Point Cloud to Plans: Deliverables in Four Days
How the Digital Survey Supports the Renovation Process
​

Dunelm House: Why a Precise 3D Survey Was Needed

riverside building, dunelm house

Dunelm House (1966) is Durham University’s well-known students’ union building. Designed in the post-war modernist style, it sits directly on the steep banks of the River Wear. Furthermore, it is connected to the equally iconic Kingsgate Bridge.

The structure is characterized by exposed concrete and terraced floor levels. A multi-angled, irregular roofscape follows the natural slope of the riverbank. This bold design makes Dunelm House architecturally significant  – and challenging to measure.
When leaks appeared across several roof areas, a detailed digital survey was needed. The aim was to document the current condition and guide the renovation.

The Challenge: Complex Roof and Difficult Site Conditions

dunelm house

The student building’s roof consists of intersecting levels, changing slopes, and unconventional angles. Combined with its sloping riverside location, this makes traditional measurement methods unreliable and slow.

To capture the structure accurately and efficiently, the project required a modern surveying approach capable of documenting every plane and surface with precision.

How the Survey Was Completed: Laser Scanning + GPS

The survey was carried out by Bury Associates Ltd using two FARO Focus3D laser scanners. To record the terrain and ensure accurate referencing across the entire site, the team also used total stations and GPS equipment.

This hybrid surveying method made it possible to capture:

  • the full exterior geometry of Dunelm House,
  • its complex multi-level roof structures,
  • and high-precision topographic context along the River Wear.

The result was a detailed point cloud covering the entire building and its surroundings.

We think PointCab Origins is the fastest way to extract plans and sections from point clouds.
Bury Associates Limited
Dez. 2018

From Point Cloud to 3D Model: Deliverables in Four Days

After the scanning process, the data was processed using PointCab Origins, which enabled the team to deliver complete documentation in just four days.
 The deliverables included:

  • orthophotos,
  • 2D floor plans,
  • sections and elevations,
  • and a full 3D Revit model created from the processed Origins data.

By exporting PointCab’s results into Autodesk Revit, the project team gained a BIM-ready model with the accuracy needed to analyse the leaking roof and plan the renovation.

How the Digital Survey Supports the Renovation Process

The Dunelm House project shows how 3D laser scanning, precise site measurement, and point cloud processing can deliver fast, reliable results — even for buildings with complex shapes and challenging site conditions.

With the combination of FARO scanners, survey instruments, and PointCab Origins for evaluation, Bury Associates delivered a complete set of renovation-ready outputs, including a detailed Revit model.
This provided architects and engineers with a solid digital foundation for repairing and preserving one of Durham’s most distinctive architectural landmarks.

Want to keep up with the latest pointCab news?

Then follow us on Social Media or subcribe to our newsletter!

Envelope Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Linkedin-in Youtube

Der Beitrag Surveying Dunelm House erschien zuerst auf Pointcab.

]]>