Crooked Walls, Curved Ceilings Are No Problem: Flawless Surveys with Laser Scanning

The success of an architectural project depends on the accuracy of the foundation it is built upon. If you are going to perform renovations, restoration, or interior design on an existing structure, this foundation is the "as-built survey" (rölöve) drawing. However, traditional surveys taken with tape measures and laser distance meters pose serious risks, especially in old and irregular buildings.

Nightmares such as the project drawn in the office clashing with a beam on site, or custom-made furniture not fitting the wall, usually stem from survey errors. So, isn't there a way to take surveys with millimeter precision and "zero error"? The answer: Laser scanning technology.

In this article, we examine how the survey process has been revolutionized by laser scanning and how it adds value to your projects.

Dead Ends of Traditional Methods vs. The Reality of Laser Scanning

In the traditional method, when measuring a room, you take a few points from the corners and assume the wall in between is "straight." However, in real life, no wall, ceiling, or floor is perfectly straight as it is on paper. Deformations formed over time, plaster errors, and structural curvatures cannot be detected with traditional tools.

Laser scanning technology eliminates these "assumptions." Our device scans the space with millions of points per second, creating a 3D, realistic, and scaled digital twin of the structure. This way:

• Bowing in walls,

• Elevation differences and slopes on the floor,

• Sagging in ceilings,

• The exact locations of windows, doors, and niches are documented completely.

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How Does Laser Scanning Speed Up the Survey Process?

The laser scanning devices (like Leica RTC360) used by KG Engineering are not only precise but also incredibly fast.

1. Fast Field Work: Manual measurement processes that take days are completed in hours with laser scanning. High facades can be scanned from the ground without the cost and risk of setting up scaffolding.

2. Precise Data (Point Cloud): The data obtained from the scans is called a "Point Cloud." This is a 3D photograph with millimeter accuracy containing all the details of the structure.

3. Flawless Drawing: The architect imports this point cloud as a base into their CAD or BIM (Revit, ArchiCAD) program in the office. While drawing, they do not wonder "how many cm was this place?"; they trace directly over the existing reality.

   
   

In Which Projects is Laser Scanning Indispensable?

• Restoration Projects: For documenting historical texture, decorations, and structural damages.

• Urban Renewal and Renovation: For determining the current status of old buildings without blueprints.

• Interior Design: For faultless measurement when custom manufacturing (furniture, kitchens) is to be made for irregular spaces.

• Facade Applications: For taking the exact measurement of the infrastructure before thermal insulation or cladding facade.

  
  

Conclusion: Eliminate Your Margin of Error

"Fudging it" in architecture leads to major costs. As KG Engineering, we transfer reality as it is to the digital environment with millimeter precision. If you do not want to encounter surprises in your projects, discover the power of laser scanning technology in survey taking.