New and old buildings alike can benefit from accurate floor plans for construction, redevelopment, HVAC upgrades, and more! Leveraging advanced technology like scan-to-BIM, digital twins, and the option to integrate automated energy analysis systems, Planit has assisted several commercial property owners over the years with upgrading their historic buildings.
With our team, you can modernize your historic building while maintaining the integrity of its original design. One example of our work is the renovation of the Waldorf Astoria in DC (formerly The Old Post Office), where our team was brought in to assist in a full-scale historic renovation. Here’s how our scan-to-BIM and laser systems streamlined and refined the process.
Our Work with the Waldorf Astoria (The Old Post Office)
The Waldorf Astoria is a landmark in old-world American architecture. Previously known as The Old Post Office, this building was one of the first in Washington, DC, to comprise a steel-frame structure and feature electricity throughout every room.
In keeping with the building’s reputation for modern advancement, the re-named Waldorf Astoria Hotel contacted our team at Planit to complete a full historic renovation.
Challenge
The main challenge of this project was the lack of precise as-built documentation. Due to the building’s age, we had very little information about the hotel’s initial engineering and the complexity of the architectural design.
Another key challenge of this project was ensuring that we didn’t alter anything that would violate Historic Preservation regulations. This late Victorian-era building includes many intricate design features that aren’t always easy to work around, and it was up to our team to find a way.
Solution
To complete the extensive renovations required, our team conducted a comprehensive laser scan of the exterior and rooftop of the building using scan-to-BIM technology. We also deployed our scanners on neighbouring rooftops to gain insights into inaccessible areas.
Using the point cloud data collected by our scanners, we developed 2D floor plans, sections, and elevations to simplify and refine construction. Using this method, we captured over 350,000 sqft of interior, exterior, and rooftop space.
The data we gathered allowed us to develop methods and strategies for accessing difficult points and provide suggestions for conducting renovations without damaging the building’s essential historic elements.
Completion
Once the final 2D drawings were completed, they were delivered to the Waldorf Astoria’s Design & Development team. We also provided as-needed support for redevelopment planning.
With these floor plans, the Waldorf Astoria’s construction team was able to:
- Save time and money
- Maintain an efficient workflow
- Rely on accurate and detailed documentation
- Maintain the historic landmark status of the hotel
How Your Historic Renovation Can Benefit from Planit’s Hyper-Intelligent Building Model
If you have a historic renovation planned, but lack the necessary as-built data, trust our team at Planit to retrieve this information by leveraging our cutting-edge laser scanning technology. Here’s how your project will benefit from our services:
Non-Invasive Data Retrieval
Our advanced laser scanning allows for a non-invasive collection of data to accurately preserve the integrity of a historical structure. This digital method prevents the need for physically measuring these areas, which can often be risky and result in damage or deterioration.
Precision and Accuracy
3D scanning captures millions of data points, making it one of the most precise methods of collecting detailed information, such as historical geometries and detailed surface features.
Historical Documentation and Reconstruction
Many historical buildings no longer retain records of their initial build and design, which can make retrofitting to modern building standards a challenge.
However, an initial LiDAR scan can effectively recreate a historically accurate blueprint. This not only assists REIT developers and engineers with updating the structure but also preserves the building’s historical record.
Contact Us Today
At Planit, we provide high-level 2D and 3D plans for building engineers and REIT developers. If you have a historic renovation project that requires precise data, partner with our team to receive top-of-the-line floor plans using various scan-to-BIM technologies, digital twins, automated energy analysis systems, and more.
Contact us today to get started.
