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Client
Napier City Council
Location
Napier, New Zealand
Size
5,000 sqft
Type
Laser Scanning, BIM Modelling
Category
Heritage Scan-to-BIM
Year
September 30, 2024
In this project, we worked with the Napier City Council to digitally capture and model heritage buildings for ongoing asset management. The use of advanced Leica RTC360 LiDAR and photogrammetry techniques enabled us to create highly accurate models, which were then integrated into an openBIM environment for easy management and access.
Project Overview
Napier City Council required high-accuracy digital documentation of key heritage buildings as part of a broader asset management initiative. The goal: to enable improved long-term maintenance and strategic planning through accessible, data-rich 3D models.
Tools Used: Leica RTC360, Revit 2025, BIM Collaborate Pro, Nextspace
Services: Laser Scanning, BIM Modelling, Digital Twin Integration
Buildings Scanned: Napier Aquarium, Memorial Square, Chapman Pavillion, Museum Gallery Theatre, Municipal Theatre, Faraday Museum
The Solution
BIM Asset Lab undertook full 3D reality capture of Council-owned heritage assets using high-precision LiDAR and photogrammetry.
- Laser Scanning & Photogrammetry
We utilised a Leica RTC360 scanner to perform detailed internal and external scans of each building, achieving a precision of approximately ±4mm across even the largest structures.
- Geo-Location & Model Structuring
Using geospatial data provided by Napier City Council, each scan project was geo-located and processed into Autodesk Revit 2025 via RCS file formats. The modelling process followed a multi-disciplinary BIM approach, with individual models developed for Architecture, Structure, Services, and Site. These were linked and coordinated using Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro to support accurate, federated model management. All models maintained openBIM compliance and geo-referencing standards to ensure interoperability.
- Data Hosting & Stakeholder Access
In collaboration with Nextspace, we integrated mesh versions of the point cloud data and IFC exports into their secure digital twin platform. This allowed for browser-based access to models by multiple stakeholders, with layered security controls and no need for proprietary software.
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Results & Impact
This project demonstrates a scalable, cost-efficient approach to managing heritage assets digitally—without reliance on complex or high-cost software ecosystems.
By combining openBIM standards with secure cloud hosting, Napier City Council now has a future-proofed, accessible digital representation of key buildings to support informed planning, maintenance, and investment decision-making.
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