Case Study: Castle Surveys' Digital Twin Creation for Retail Building in Northampton.

Introduction

Castle Surveys, a leading provider of advanced surveying services, was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive survey of a retail building located in Northampton. The project aimed to create a detailed geospatially accurate digital twin of the site, which would serve various purposes including architectural planning, facility management, and spatial analysis. The scope of the survey encompassed both internal and external aspects of the building, with the integration of drone-based photogrammetry to enhance accuracy and detail.

Project Overview

Client: Retail Property Management Firm

Location: Northampton, UK

Project Type: Retail Building Survey

Objective: To produce a geospatially accurate digital twin of the retail building for planning and management purposes.

Methodology

Castle Surveys employed a multi-faceted approach to capture the intricate details of the retail building. The process included terrestrial laser scanning, photogrammetry, and drone technology.

1. Terrestrial Laser Scanning

The internal and external aspects of the building were first surveyed using terrestrial laser scanning technology. This method involves:

- Preparation: The team conducted a pre-survey assessment to plan the scanning points and ensure complete coverage of the building’s internal and external features.

- Scanning: High-precision laser scanners were deployed both inside and outside the building. These scanners emitted laser beams that bounced off surfaces and returned to the device, creating a dense point cloud data set. This data captured the exact dimensions and geometries of walls, floors, ceilings, and other architectural elements.

- Data Processing: The point clouds were processed using sophisticated software to create detailed 3D models of the building’s interior and exterior. This stage involved aligning multiple scans to ensure comprehensive coverage and accuracy.

2. Drone-Based Photogrammetry

To supplement the terrestrial scanning, drone-based photogrammetry was utilised to capture aerial views of the building and its surroundings. This technique included:

- Flight Planning: A detailed flight plan was created to cover the entire external facade of the building and its immediate environment. The plan ensured that overlapping images were captured for optimal photogrammetric accuracy.

- Aerial Imaging: Drones equipped with high-resolution cameras were flown according to the plan. The drones took numerous overlapping photographs from various angles, capturing detailed imagery of the building’s exterior and adjacent areas.

- Photogrammetric Processing: The aerial images were processed using photogrammetry software to create a detailed 3D model of the building’s exterior. This model was then aligned with the internal scans to produce a cohesive digital twin.

3. Integration and Model Creation

The final phase involved integrating the data from terrestrial laser scanning and drone photogrammetry to produce a unified geospatially accurate digital twin of the retail building:

- Data Integration: The point cloud data from the laser scans and the 3D model from the photogrammetry were combined. This integration involved aligning and merging the two datasets to ensure seamless accuracy.

- Model Refinement: The integrated data was refined to enhance detail and accuracy. This process included correcting any discrepancies and ensuring that the model accurately represented both the internal and external aspects of the building.

- Deliverables: The completed digital twin was delivered to the client in various formats, including interactive 3D models and detailed 2D floor plans. These deliverables were designed to be used in various applications such as facility management, future renovations, and spatial analysis.

Results

Castle Surveys successfully delivered a highly detailed and geospatially accurate digital twin of the retail building. The digital twin provided the client with several benefits:

- Enhanced Visualisation: The 3D model allowed for comprehensive visualisation of the building’s layout and design, aiding in planning and decision-making.

- Accurate Measurements: The digital twin offered precise measurements and spatial data, which are crucial for renovation projects and space management.

- Facility Management: The model facilitated improved facility management by providing a detailed virtual representation of the building, helping to streamline maintenance and operations.

Conclusion

Castle Surveys’ use of advanced surveying techniques, including terrestrial laser scanning, drone-based photogrammetry, and data integration, enabled the creation of a highly accurate digital twin of the retail building in Northampton. This project not only showcased the firm's expertise in delivering detailed and reliable spatial data but also provided the client with a valuable tool for ongoing building management and planning.