Project Snapshot
| Category | Details |
| Client | North Vancouver School District (SD#44), DA Architects |
| Project Name | North Vancouver School District Surveying & 3D Modeling |
| Location | North Vancouver, British Columbia |
| Date | 1950–2020 |
Project Overview
Introduction
Underhill has partnered with the North Vancouver School District (SD#44) for over 50 years, providing a broad range of survey services. From early topographic and legal surveys in the 1950s to modern 3D scanning and CAD modeling, our work has supported the district’s evolving infrastructure and preservation goals.
Project Challenges
Each school site brought unique conditions—from the heritage designation of early 1900s buildings to large-scale campus expansions. The challenge was to document structures with precision while minimizing disruption to active sites.
Underhill’s Approach
Our long-term relationship with SD#44 includes legal surveys of every school site dating back to the mid-20th century. More recently, we’ve delivered 3D scanning and CAD services for building documentation, heritage preservation, and school upgrades.
Ridgeway Elementary School
Underhill scanned the entire facade of this early 1900s heritage building using a Trimble GX 3D laser scanner. The resulting point cloud of 11 million points was used to produce 2D elevations, cross-sections, and precise detail drawings, offering a complete digital record of the building’s condition.
Queen Mary Elementary School
Following Ridgeway’s success, a similar 3D scanning project was commissioned to support design and preservation planning.
Carson Graham Secondary School
Underhill provided legal, topographic, and construction surveys for the school’s expansion and revitalization phases.
Paradise Valley Outdoor School
Topographic and construction surveys supported facility improvements at this outdoor education site.
Notable Outcomes
- Complete, high-resolution 3D scans of heritage school buildings
- Longstanding relationship with SD#44 across multiple generations of projects
- Accurate documentation for preservation, renovation, and expansion
- Thousands of deliverables supporting architecture, engineering, and planning
Technical Highlights
- 3D laser scanning with Trimble GX
- Point cloud generation with over 11 million points
- 2D elevation drawings, cross-sections, and site modeling
- Topographic, cadastral, and construction layout surveys
- Legal surveys across all school sites since the 1950s
- Integrated CAD and digital modeling deliverables
Project Impact
Underhill’s decades-long partnership with SD#44 enabled the district to preserve heritage schools, modernize infrastructure, and support long-term planning. Our legal surveys and advanced 3D scanning provided precise documentation for renovations, expansions, and conservation efforts. From post-war development to digital modeling, Underhill’s work helped sustain educational and community growth across generations.
