Using LiDAR scanning to Assist in the Preservation of Historic Architecture

Where I grew up, the most famous red buildings are not brick, they are wooden homes-- for cows. The county roads are straight and flat, and the soil is brown and black, not red clay. Coming to Virginia brought me back in time by at least a generation or two, and the historic homes are brick mansions designed by Jefferson rather than farmhouses with multiple additions added as money allowed.

In either case, the ground settles, insulation disintegrates, and structures are rarely, if ever, still "plumb, level, and square." Framing can take on unique curvature that a tape measure has difficulty capturing. When it comes time for restoration or adaptive reuse, relying on outdated paper plans or manual measurements creates significant risk for architects and contractors.

If you think that cutting-edge digital documentation is out of reach for your project, think again. SoundAround brings 3D LiDAR scanning to any building or renovation project, new or old.

LiDAR scanning captures the actual, existing conditions of any building, historic or new, including the "imperfections" that define its character-- and complicate its maintenance.

Digital twins are more than a connected series of 360 images, they offer access to file formats that professional firms can use to do their best work. We offer formats like .obj, .xyz, and .bim, allowing architects to import the scan directly into AutoCAD or Revit.

A historic property is a living record of craftsmanship. SoundAround’s goal is to ensure that as these buildings evolve, their history is documented and we can look inside even when we aren't able to visit in person.