We used high-precision scanning and Scan to BIM modeling to turn a complex structure into a spot-on digital model.

Pacific Park, Santa Monica, CA

project type
Scan to BIM & BI Insights
industry
Industrial
date
June 4, 2024

A fresh approach for an L.A. icon

Even a city's most iconic landmarks run into a critical challenge: they need accurate, up-to-date as-built documentation. Without reliable drawings, getting operating permits and staying code-compliant was harder than it needed to be, and any future renovation or expansion hit a wall. Traditional management, built on outdated and fragmented information, made it impossible to see the full picture of the infrastructure, and that made it tough for maintenance and operations teams to coordinate without disrupting the park. On top of that, capturing such a large area full of complex structures without sacrificing accuracy or detail was a serious technical challenge. Getting past all of this called for innovative technology and methods that could turn the pier's data into a smart digital asset.

Documenting complex structures

Updating the as-built documentation was no small task. Large, highly complex structures like the rides and the pier's substructure would have made manual measurement nearly impossible, leading to inaccurate data and a big investment of time and resources. And without a centralized, visual database, management stayed reactive instead of predictive, driving up costs, cutting into operational efficiency and taking a real toll on the visitor experience.

From physical asset to digital asset

To tackle these challenges, we ran an end-to-end Scan to BIM process. First, we built an exact digital replica of the park with LiDAR and photogrammetry, using scanners and drones. Then we turned the point cloud data into a 3D model built to international standards. This BIM model isn't just a picture of the space; it's a centralized database with detailed information on every component, across every discipline.

We also connected the model data to an interactive Power BI dashboard. This business intelligence (BI) tool gives the team one place to track inventory, schedule maintenance and optimize how space is used, so they can make strategic decisions about how the park runs.

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