Existing Conditions Surveys, Inc. is the regional leader in providing highly accurate 3D laser scanning and architectural existing conditions 2D CAD drawings and 3D Building Information Models. We measure and draw apx. 20,000,000sf of space per year from our offices in Boston, New York, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia.
For the Taunton City Hall project, we were contacted by one of our long standing clients, Durkee Brown Architects, from Providence, R.I. to provide a full 3D laser scan of the entire historic building and also the adjacent buildings and site context. Using 3D laser scanning the architect not only has highly accurate drawings of the building to be renovated, but will also have scan data on neighboring buildings, and other site conditions to help them to understand the full context of the surrounding area.
Some of the unique challenges of this project were related to the actual condition of the building itself. There was a fire that consumed much of the upper floor of the structure, so access was limited to working in areas that were safe and accessible. Using the latest generation of FARO phase based 3D laser scanners, we were able to collect accurate information on structural and architectural elements that would have been impossible to measure using traditional building measurement tools and practices. Collecting this highly detailed information will help the architect and their engineers make decisions based on actual field data, and not have to make as many assumptions as they have in the past. Also, as a value added service, we provide the 3D laser scan data to our clients at no charge, when we are hired to create the drawings. This helps keep project cost as low as possible.
Our services are in great demand not only because of the technology we possess and deploy on projects, or because our fees are, in nearly all cases, a fraction of the in-house cost of a traditional architect or other competitor, but it is because of the expertise we are able to leverage. We all have a background in architecture; we have been trained as architects and have worked for architects, prior to working at ECS, Inc., and that gives us unique insight as to what our clients need to have as a deliverable. We have all been on the other side of the table when working on a project, so we know what information is critical to receive from the field and what information is of limited value. We are NOT land surveyors, that simply purchase a 3D scanner, and claim to have an understanding of the “language of buildings” and ultimately what our clients will need from us represented in a 2D drawing or 3D model. We do not offer any design or other services, other than laser scanning and existing building measurements and drawings, and as such, we can free the time of our clients to practice architecture while we laser scan and draw their buildings.
The Taunton City Hall project represents a typical size and scope of our projects, but our capabilities range from very simple 2D CAD drawings, all the way to full academic campus Building Information Models, and highly detailed existing conditions surveys such as the State House, Carnegie Hall, and the U.S. Capitol Building.
Kurt Yeghian is president of Existing Conditions Surveys, Inc.