Architectural Repurposing for Marian College Campus
In a remarkable demonstration of architectural innovation and sustainability, Marian College Christchurch repurposed a commercial steel-framed warehouse into a school campus. This project, the only one of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, showcases sustainable construction by integrating a new structure within the existing framework, setting a new standard for adaptive reuse in construction. John Jones Steel was responsible for designing and manufacturing the steel framework for the new school. To successfully design the new elements, they needed a highly accurate 3-D model of the existing structure from which they could design the modifications and new steel elements required for the project.
Client
John Jones SteelServices
- Structural Engineering
- Land Surveying
The challenge
John Jones Steel approached Eliot Sinclair to provide 3-D laser scanning and CAD modelling services. Given our client’s need for precision in designing structural steel supports they required millimetre-level accuracy. Having worked with us on previous projects where we provided similar services, John Jones Steel knew they could rely on Eliot Sinclair to deliver the level of accuracy needed to design steel elements that would fit precisely within the existing structure.
John Jones Steel needed a Computer-Aided Design (CAD) model of the existing steel framed structure. Precision was critical, as the steel elements would be pre-manufactured off-site, leaving no room for error when they were installed within the existing building. The model also needed to ensure that all modifications, such as steel braces, staircases, and mezzanine supports, fit perfectly and could be installed without interfering with the existing structure.
The solution
Eliot Sinclair’s survey team conducted a point cloud survey of the entire site, using over 80 individual scan sites to reality capture the critical detail of the building. This 3-D laser scan data was used to create an accurate overall Point Cloud model, stitching all the individual scans into a comprehensive digital representation of the existing structure. The survey team then passed this 3-D registered ‘Point Cloud’ to our structural engineering team, who modelled the ‘Point Cloud’ data and created various files for John Jones Steel to work from.
The process of using Point Cloud technology allowed John Jones Steel to avoid revisiting the site for additional measurements, as every element could be referenced and remeasured within the digital model. We provided John Jones Steel with a series of staged 3D IFC and CAD models, allowing their team to start designing the steel structure incrementally without having to wait for the entire building to be modelled. An overall IFC and CAD model was provided on completion of the modelling.
The project involved strengthening the existing columns, designing braces for the roof, and manufacturing custom staircases that wrapped around and attached to existing columns. Eliot Sinclair delivered a highly accurate model that enabled John Jones Steel to ensure the designs fit perfectly within the existing warehouse structure.
Point Cloud models contain a large amount of data and are often too large for standard design software to handle. We streamlined this vast dataset into an accurate and usable IFC and CAD model that John Jones Steel could easily integrate into their design software. This approach not only saved time but also ensured the accuracy of their design and construction, reducing the need for costly modifications or rework.
Eliot Sinclair’s use of advanced Point Cloud technology allowed us to create a highly detailed and accurate model of the existing building, giving our client the confidence to design with precision. Our expertise in data processing and modelling turned an otherwise complex and time-consuming task into a streamlined, smart solution.
