To scan or not to scan?

Almost all of our clients, at some point, ask if they should get their project scanned to ensure accuracy of base building information, and so many properties slated for renovations don’t have CAD drawings at all.

A good scan or survey is a critical starting point for every project.

In many cases these scans are produced by sending someone with a great amount of scanning know-how to the site to set up cameras and scanning devises to capture a digital footprint of the building. This data is then cleaned up by algorithms and drafters in various ways to produce a computer model that is to scale and highly accurate. These models are then used by design professionals to produce drawings of renovations and new configurations. So, what’s wrong with that? It sure beats spending a few days on site with a clip board, tape measure and several colors of markers.

If scanning means the design team does not spend as much time on site to develop an intuitive understanding the space, relevant context, its location in the community, adjacencies and all of the other intangible aspects of place then very valuable information is lost or never captured.  Often looking beyond, the surfaces available to be scanned, above the ceiling or around a corner or the adjacent space brings valuable insights that can change the course of your project.  Walking a space you are making thousands of judgements, why did the floor sound hollow over here? Why is there a musty smell? Its great how the light comes in over there! How was this or that actually built?

If the goal is drawing accuracy, then scan away…If the goal is a deeper understanding, then send in the design team with a tape measure. What you might give up in accuracy you make up for in understanding.