Preserving and modernizing old buildings is both a responsibility and a challenge. Historical
structures and decades-old facilities often suffer from undocumented modifications, material
degradation and irregular geometries that makes the traditional surveys ineffective.
According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, construction reworks due to inaccurate project
data costs the industry $88 billion annually worldwide. Old buildings contributes significantly to this
challenge since they usually lack reliable as-built documentation.
Scan to BIM Services addresses this gap by combining the high-definition laser scanning with the
intelligent BIM modeling, delivering affordable yet uncompromising accuracy for surveying,
documenting along with the repurposing of the aging infrastructures.
Technical Challenges in Surveying Old Buildings
Old buildings are complex due to:
1) Irregular Structural Geometry – Settlement and renovations create deviations that manual
surveys can’t easily capture.
2) No As-Built Records – Over 70% of buildings constructed before 1980 in the US lacks
updated documentation (source: National Trust for Historic Preservation).
3) Material Degradation – Aging concrete, timber and steel elements requires precise
modeling for the structural analysis.
4) Safety Concerns – Manual surveys often expose to the personnel to unstable or inaccessible
areas.
5) Modern System Integration – Retrofitting HVAC, electrical or plumbing requires precise
dimensional data to prevent the costly clashes.
How Scan to BIM Works?
The process is systematic and technology-driven:
1. Data Capture via 3D Laser Scanners
Scanners capture millions of data points per second, producing a dense, high-accuracy (up
to ±2mm) point cloud of the structure.
2. Registration and Cleaning
Multiple scans are aligned, noise is removed and a unified dataset is created.
3. Point Cloud Segmentation & Classification
Software differentiates walls, slabs, beams and MEP elements for structured modeling.
4. Point Cloud to BIM Conversion
Using Point Cloud to BIM Conversion Services, the dataset is transformed into an intelligent
parametric BIM model.
5. LOD Customization
Depending on project needs:
o LOD 200 for space planning
o LOD 300–350 for design coordination
o LOD 400–500 for restoration, retrofit or facility management
6. Quality Check & Validation
The BIM model is compared against the scan data to maintain the tolerances within 2–5mm
accuracy.
Why It’s Affordable Without Compromise?
While the technology sounds advanced, the cost savings are substantial:
Fewer Site Visits – One scanning session replaces the multiple manual surveys.
Error Reduction – Eliminating the reworks saves up to 15% of construction costs (Dodge
Data & Analytics).
Accelerated Timelines – Documentation that once took weeks can now be completed in
days.
Lifecycle Value – The BIM model supports not just the renovation but also the future facility
management.
Affordability here means cost optimization through the accuracy and not through the cutting
corners.
Real-Life Case Study: Scan to BIM in Heritage Restoration?
Project: St. Paul’s Cathedral Renovation, London
Challenge: The 17th-century landmark required detailed documentation before a major
restoration effort. Traditional surveying would have taken months and risked damaging
fragile structures.
Solution: A laser scanning team captured over 1 billion data points to create a high-fidelity
point cloud of the cathedral. Using Point Cloud to BIM Conversion Services, the data was
transformed into a BIM model at LOD 400.
Outcome:
o Survey duration reduced from 16 weeks (traditional) to 4 weeks.
o Clash detection enabled efficient integration of new HVAC and lighting systems.
o Provided a permanent, digital record for future conservation work.
This project demonstrates how Scan to BIM not only saves time and money but also preserves the
historic architecture for generations to come.
Applications in Old Building Projects
Heritage Conservation – To digitally document the intricate architectural details.
Structural Rehabilitation – To support reinforcement and load-bearing analysis.
MEP Retrofitting – To integrate modern systems without damaging the existing elements.
Energy Upgrades – To simulate insulation and efficiency improvements.
Adaptive Reuse – To convert warehouses, factories, and old offices into modern spaces.
Final Thoughts
Old buildings demand solutions that blends precision, affordability and minimal disruption. Scan to
BIM Services delivers exactly that by turning the complex, undocumented structures into the
reliable digital twins. By leveraging Point Cloud to BIM Conversion Services, project stakeholders
can gain an accurate foundation for renovations, retrofittings and long-term asset management.
With proven real-world success—from cathedrals to commercial retrofits—Scan to BIM empowers
the AEC professionals to preserve the history while meeting the modern demands, without any sort
of compromise.