Project Snapshot
| Category | Details |
| Client | Confidential / Engineering Consultants |
| Project Name | Lord Strathcona Elementary 3D Laser Scanning |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Date | 2011 |
Project Overview
Introduction
Lord Strathcona Elementary School, built in 1892, is Vancouver’s oldest school and a designated heritage site. In 2011, Underhill was contracted to carry out a detailed extents survey of four school and community buildings to support preservation and architectural design work.
Project Challenges
Documenting complex, century-old architecture required a non-intrusive but highly detailed approach. Traditional surveying methods wouldn’t capture the depth and texture of the building’s historical features, such as ornate windows, detailed facades, and door openings.
Underhill’s Approach
Underhill performed full exterior 3D laser scans of all four buildings using high-resolution scanning equipment. The scans were converted into a point cloud, from which we produced 2D elevation drawings of every building face. The deliverables included window and door placement, structural outlines, and architectural detailing.
We also delivered a Faro Webshare visualization, which enabled authorized users to explore each scan station via a high-resolution 3D interface—supporting virtual walkthroughs and remote measurement.
Notable Outcomes
- Complete 3D documentation of four heritage buildings
- 2D elevation drawings supporting preservation and design
- Faro Webshare access for remote consultants and design teams
- Precise point cloud data for further analysis and visualization
Technical Highlights
- Exterior 3D laser scanning of four school and community buildings
- Point cloud data for dimensional analysis and planning
- Detailed 2D CAD elevation drawings showing façade features
- Faro Webshare visualization for stakeholder review
- Non-invasive capture of heritage architectural features
Project Impact
Underhill’s high-resolution 3D scanning preserved the architectural integrity of Vancouver’s oldest school while enabling precise planning for restoration. Our detailed data supported accurate elevation drawings and virtual walkthroughs, empowering consultants to design with confidence—without altering or disturbing the heritage structures. This work contributes to the long-term protection of a culturally significant site.
