SURVEYS
OUR STORY LA Surveys was born out of Lees Associates, our market-leading architectural practice. Recognising a gap in the market, we took the opportunity to further apply the expertise we had honed over forty years in practice and establish our surveying arm in early 2020. We are unique as Architects that carry-out full measured building surveys in-house, and as a standalone service. More importantly, all of our surveyors have at least a graduate qualifcation in Architecture so they have an unrivalled understanding of the buildings they survey. Why? Traditionally, as Architects, we procured measured surveys from third-party surveyors, including having them build an as-existing BIM model from the survey data. But we often found this to be unreliable, not least because we had had no involvement in the process.
Vishal Baichande Associate & Director of Surveys
It is crucial to have a full understanding of a project’s requirements to be able to correctly interpret the raw survey data in order to provide a completely reliable survey that is tailored to the project’s needs. As Architects, we are uniquely qualifed to do that. Using the latest point-cloud scanning technology we can accurately survey any building and translate it into a detailed BIM model or traditional 2D drawings. Since we established LA Surveys, the positive feedback we have received has been extremely encouraging and has re-afrmed our belief in our proposition.
We are a progressive team of market-leading Architects who have have consistently embraced innovation and development and now ofer in-house measured surveying.
All of our trained surveyors have graduate or post-graduate degrees in Architecture and have a comprehensive understanding of construction. As Architects as well as Surveyors, our knowledge and passion for architecture gives our clients the confdence and reassurance that the survey information from which their project will be developed has been recorded, translated and collated by trusted experts.
WHO ARE WE?
Whether or not we are the appointed Architect for a project, and therefore the ultimate benefciary of a survey, we have a highly-tuned understanding of exactly what it will need to show. We are sensitive not only to the quality of the survey data but also to its ftness for purpose, especially when it comes to listed buildings. Better still, if we are appointed as Architect for the project, the same team who will deliver the project will both do the survey and build the BIM model, giving them an immediate and unmatched knowledge of the property. And, in this case, we will refund the cost of building the BIM model – we know all too well how much time and work a good survey can save later on in a project.
PROCESS
1. Site Visit If necessary, we will arrange a site visit to ensure we can provide an accurate quote.
5. Modelling Next, if a BIM model is required, we will “3D trace” the point cloud data, in doing so building an as-built digital twin of the site/property.
Once the BIM model is complete we can generate and publish a full suite of survey drawings from the model. Alternatively, if a BIM model was not required, we can trace the survey directly in 2D to produce accurate survey drawings.
7. Handover Once complete, we will issue the BIM model, together with the drawings. If we are appointed as Architect we will quickly adapt the existing BIM model into a proposed concept one, ready for further development and refnement. Furthermore, if we are retained as Architect for the project, we will refund the cost of the BIM model!
2. Survey
Once our quote is approved, we will arrange to visit the site or property to carry out a 3D “point cloud” scan. With out expert eye behind the survey equipment we can record every millimetre and subtle granular details of the site in a 3D model.
3. Photogrammetry In parallel with the point cloud scan our scanner can also take panoramic photos from each of the scan locations. Although not as mm accurate as the point cloud scan, these photos will be fully scalable and viewable via a secure online portal, a bit like Google Streetview.
4. Registration and Translation Back at the ofce, we will download all of the separate scans that we recorded on site and merge them into a single point cloud, which is then imported into our BIM software. Similarly, the panoramic photos will be stitched together and uploaded to the online portal.
6. Drawings
“ LA Surveys provided an incredibly detailed survey for a complex listed building in Cambridge - the resulting product was commented on by the design team for both accuracy but also the level of detail. This may seem like a given in the industry. However it is not, and it highlights the design and architectural background of the survey team to provide the right product in one hit.
James Forrest-Lines — Associate Director, LXA
BENEFITS
Accuracy of survey
Photographic Data
Accuracy of model
Time on site Once the scanning is complete, we have all the data we will need. No return visits are necessary.
Survey by an Architect
If Lees Associates are retained as Architect for a project after completing the survey, we will refund the cost of building the BIM model. This is because we know how much time and work a good survey can save later on in a project.
Both the point cloud data and photography are hosted securely so can be accessed by anyone, anywhere, at any time.
The stitched-together panoramic photography that our scanner can also record allows anyone – client, designer, surveyor etc – to explore every inch of the property, just like an indoor Google Streetview.
The scans capture everything visible, and are digitally stitched together to create a point cloud model of the whole building. If we need to check any dimension, the data is there to do so.
Efciency of handover
Completeness of survey
The BIM model that we produce from the point cloud data is an accurate and complete digital representation of the property. This pays dividends later in the project when the proposed scheme is being implemented and coordinated in the model, which leads on to... Value
The information can also be used to produce gross internal and external area surveys, retail zoning surveys, lease plans, etc.
Our stitched-together scans of, say, a 4-storey town house typically have a tolerance of 5mm: far more accurate than any traditional surveying techniques can produce.
If we are appointed as Architect as well as Surveyor, the transfer of data from one to the other is instant. This is a process that we have known to regularly take a number of weeks in which to iron out issues, which have ranged from software incompatibility to using diferent layering and labelling standards.
Accessibility of data
All of our surveyors have graduate or post-graduate degrees in Architecture and have a comprehensive understanding of construction. Better still, if we are appointed as Architect for the project, the team who will deliver the project will do the survey and build the model, giving them an immediate and intimate knowledge of the property inside and out.
TECHNOLOGY
At the same time, our scanner can take a 360º panoramic photo at each scan location. These photos are later stitched together and merged with the point cloud data. Processing A typical survey might need anywhere between 100 and 200 scans to capture all surfaces, inside and out, of a property. Our software then intelligently identifes common datasets between the scans and automatically stitches overlapping scans into one complete point cloud model, erasing all duplicated data to minimise fle size. This stitching process is closely monitored and checked by our expert team to guarantee the quality and accuracy of the model. Output Once scanned and processed, we upload the point cloud data and panoramic photography to a secure web portal and provide a link that allows both to be viewed in the same place. This is not only helpful for us to view and take measurements when building the BIM model, but also acts as a valuable reference tool for anyone at any point in the future.
All of our surveys use the latest laser scanning technology to capture every granular detail of the project. Our scanner captures accurate, complete and photo-realistic 3D representations of any environment in just a few minutes. We always use the latest equipment to ensure that we provide the most efcient and cost-efective service to our clients. Our scanners also recalibrated after every use to minimise any minor deviations.
Point cloud data
Latest technology
Each scan measures the x,y and z coordinates, as well as the colour, of thousands of millimetre points across all of the surfaces of the area being scanned. When viewed in a digital 3D environment, these points can resemble a “cloud” of data, hence the term “Point Cloud” to describe this method of scanning.
Webshare panoramic photography
“ We have known the team at LA for many years and have successfully worked together on two challenging residential schemes for clients. Their positive approach, experience and use of BIM greatly help the journey from concept through to completion for the client and whole design team.
Nick Walton — Walton Wagner
BIM
Predictable planning
Clash detection
Holistic method
A digital twin of a building prompts early consideration of suitable methods of construction and sequencing of works. This simplifes the planning and programming of the project throughout its lifecycle.
Early cost certainty
A single method of designing ensures greater accuracy of information, better coordination, greater efciency, all brought about by collaborative working.
The benefts of building a digital twin model in BIM from a point cloud survey are many. As Architects, we know the value of having an accurate and reliable BIM model at the start of a project, which is why we ofer a full refund on the survey BIM model of projects that we are retained as Architect for.
Modelling every element of a project early in the process ensures that all details are considered at an early stage, allowing costs to be more accurately calculated from the various drawings and schedules that the model can generate.
A notable beneft of BIM is that it allows all consultants to import their respective designs into one collaborative model-space. Specialist software can then be used to automatically fag any clashes. For example, if a pipe is clashing with some structure, the software will highlight it so the designers can address it.
Reduce project risk and cost
By building a digital twin of a proposed scheme, all issues that might otherwise not have arisen until the project is on site should have been pre-emptively resolved. As a result, the risk of delays – and consequential costs – during construction is substantially reduced.
DELIVERABLES
Point cloud321 Existing BIM model Proposed BIM model
Lucas Kaempfer — Project Manager, Caroline Baker
“ LA Surveys carried out a 3D scan of a large property for a client of ours. The house’s footprint is exceedingly complicated with a lot of rooms and their team handled it all brilliantly. We are very happy with the results, which look amazing, and look forward to working again with them on future projects.
Drawings - Typical survey sections
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GET IN TOUCH
surveys@leesassociates.com020la-surveys.com74031000
Lancaster House 38 Southwark Street 020SE1London1UN7403 Lees@la_surveyswww.la-surveys.comsurveys@leesassociates.com1000AssociatesisaLimitedLiabilityPartnership registered in England and Wales No. OC302847 Registered Ofce: 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR
