GPRS 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) and laser scanning services helped ensure the successful large-scale renovation of two commercial office towers in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Built in 1985, the Phillips Point East and West Commercial Office Towers feature 637,180 sq. ft. of office and retail space, and two parking garages, all situated on a 4.3-acre property.
Survey control was important in this project to ensure that the 3D laser scans precisely fit together and were geographically accurate. The client, Promethean Builders, requested that the 3D BIM model be delivered in phases to manage the complexity of the project.
Structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering schematic design plans were required for this extensive renovation.
But perhaps the biggest challenge with this project was coordination. GPRS Project Managers Tyler Zak and Shamar Orr had to navigate around the varied schedules of the towers’ various tenants, which included stock traders and other firms that manage similar, sensitive content.
Fortunately, GPRS has extensive experience working in and around sensitive sites, and our track record proves we can be trusted to operate with respect for the business of these facilities. Additionally, our nationwide team of Project Managers is ready to respond to your site quickly to accommodate your schedule and needs.
“Realistically, it was just getting with the building manager, the property manager, the construction team, and finding exactly what they needed, where we needed to go, and when we could get availability,” Zak said. “It was really just about excellent communication between all parties to make sure that we accommodated their schedule as much as we possibly could, to make sure we got the data collected that we needed to.”
Large-scale renovation projects demand extensive data, meticulous planning, and seamless coordination. GPRS provided a phased delivery of 3D BIM models, enabling the general contractor to concentrate on one section at a time, ensuring precision and high-quality design before progressing to the next phase.
GPRS provides 3D BIM modeling services to help many industries Intelligently Visualize The Built World®. Our 3D modeling and scan-to-BIM services allow clients to capture, analyze, and define existing conditions through safe, non-contact 3D laser scanning. We have saved clients millions of dollars in downtime and cost overruns with 3D BIM models to aid in design, visualization, space definition, prefabrication, and clash detection.
Precise as-built data delivered in an easy-to-understand BIM model helps plan for projects without the expense and worry of unknown interferences and conflicts.
Laser scanning is an ideal technology for Building Information Modeling (BIM) thanks to its efficiency, accuracy, and level of detail. Laser scanning accurately documents as-built conditions and proves to be invaluable in construction planning and facility modifications.
GPRS has earned a national reputation for delivering excellent service in the BIM 3D scanning industry, completing hundreds of projects every year on time and on budget. Our 3D Laser Scanning Project Managers are elite technicians who collect millions of precise 3D data points for a building or site with industry-leading, survey-grade Leica equipment in the form of a point cloud.
The GPRS Mapping & Modeling team has mastered the technology for converting point clouds into BIM-ready, 3D models to support the planning and design needs of any project.
Zak and Orr developed a detailed plan to capture comprehensive existing conditions documentation while coordinating with on-site trades. This included determining scanner setup locations and establishing the site workflow to ensure proper coordination and accurately estimate the time required on site.
“[The towers are] pretty big buildings,” Zak said. “Making sure that we were able to capture all the features that the client wanted was difficult from ground level, so we mitigated that by getting out on the sides of the buildings through offices, windows, and things like that where we could get better vantage points of the higher levels and things like that, to make sure that we were getting the most accurate data possible.”
GPRS collaborated with Promethean’s survey team to establish project survey control before conducting laser scanning, ensuring the accuracy of the scan data. This approach integrated the laser scans into a defined coordinate system, captured precise measurements, and ensured the data was georeferenced and correctly aligned.
Zak and Orr utilized Leica P-Series and RTC360 LiDAR laser scanners to capture every detail of the expansive space with 2-4 millimeter accuracy in a point cloud file, delivering precise architectural, structural, and MEP system layout and dimensions for renovation planning.
Our CAD technicians then leveraged Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) to centralize project information, enabling multiple team members to collaborate within the model simultaneously. This approach allowed the team to deliver the 3D BIM model in phases, meeting client deadlines efficiently.
The BIM model outlined specifications for the HVAC systems, ensuring precise design, interdisciplinary coordination, clash detection, and accurate construction scheduling.
“I think it was just a pretty incredible model, in the end,” Zak said. “I think we gave the client a great, high-quality product.”
From skyscrapers to sewer lines, GPRS Intelligently Visualizes The Built World® to keep your projects on time, on budget, and safe.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What deliverables can GPRS provide when conducting 3D laser scanning services?
We can provide 3D modeling in many formats such as:
- Point Cloud Data (Raw Data)
- 2D CAD Drawings
- 3D Non-Intelligent Models
- 3D BIM Models
- JetStream Viewer
We also offer customizable deliverables upon request, including:
- Aerial Photogrammetry
- Comparative Analysis
- Deformation Analysis
- Digital Drawings of GPR Markings
- Floor Flatness Analysis/Contour Mapping
- New Construction Accuracy Analysis/Comparative Analysis
- Point Cloud Modeling Training Webinars
- Reconciliation of Clients 2D Design Drawings
- Reconciliation of Clients 3D Design Model
- Structural Steel Shape Probability Analysis
- Template Modeling
- Volume Calculations
- Wall Plumb Analysis
What if my project is limited within the physical setting?
Some projects require special applications due to limitations within the physical setting. Often, this is due to line-of-sight issues and when a scan must be done safely from the ground or with precautionary distance. Some of these applications would include above-ceiling MEP features in hospitals where it is necessary to maintain negative airflow or interstitial spaces that are congested with limited access. Since laser scanning is a non-contact measurement tool (i.e. we can scan from a safe distance or location) this becomes a powerful tool for solving these complex challenges.
