Challenge

Our client BDP, a major international practice providing architecture, engineering, planning, and design services and known for their innovative and sustainable designs, approached us with a project too exciting to miss.

The Stirling Building at the University of Cambridge is a landmark of modern architecture. Designed by the renowned architect James Stirling and completed in 1968, the Grade II listed building is home to the Faculty of History and the Seeley Historical Library. However, over half a century on, the building was in need of refurbishment, updating and upgrading to meet today’s requirements and ambitions.

BDP was appointed to conduct a feasibility study evaluating the potential for refurbishing and expanding the Stirling Building located on the Sidgwick Site at the University of Cambridge.

Conservation led, but looking to the future, the plans were to maintain the current library function while transforming and expanding other areas to introduce a wider range of social, study, and teaching spaces. The landscaping around the building also required enhancements to boost biodiversity and create more welcoming and engaging outdoor spaces, contributing to the overall heritage environment.

A key driver for the project was to meet equality, diversity and inclusion goals. Sustainability was another core component of the project’s objectives, to enhance the building’s environmental performance in alignment with University of Cambridge standards and zero carbon targets.

The objective for Misura was to provide accurate and detailed surveys, drawings, models and imaging for the existing building before any future works could take place.

Approach

Prior to our onsite surveys commencing asbestos and health and safety reports had to be provided. We then conducted a thorough investigation of the Land Registry records to determine the precise boundaries of the site for our research.

The site inspection commenced with establishing ground control points (GCPs) by placing distinct semi-permanent markers in GPS friendly areas throughout the site.

The topographic survey identified all natural and artificial features as outlined in the RICS publication “Measured surveys of land, buildings and utilities, 3rd edition.” The collected data was processed with N4ce software, a well-known proprietary tool for survey computation and reduction, and the 2D topographic survey was created and refined in Autodesk AutoCAD.

We obtained copies of the underground utilities’ searches, which indicated the approximate locations of various utilities, including drainage, water, gas, electricity, and fibre optic cables.

Our underground utility surveyor used a Cable Avoidance Tool (CAT) along with a Signal Generator during the site inspection.

To conduct the survey of the building’s external facades and its internal spaces, we employed a 3D laser scanner. While the scanner’s built-in software captures data, we chose to connect an iPad via Bluetooth to access a wider range of settings. This approach enabled us to evaluate the quality and completeness of the data collection, ensuring that every aspect of the survey was thoroughly documented.

Finally, we conducted the roof survey using a drone, starting with the acquisition of photogrammetry data. After capturing all necessary images, we processed the data with photogrammetry software to create a cohesive model. This software allowed us to convert visual data into a detailed 3D representation of the surveyed area.

Outcome

By the conclusion of the survey, we had completed 1,250 individual scans, resulting in a total of 2.5 billion 3D points.

The data collected by the various teams was then integrated into a comprehensive 3D model by using Leica Cyclone, a leading registering software. The software helps to accurately review, analyse, align, consolidate, and register the data captured by each scanning location into a single point cloud, looking for either geo-referenced scan data or areas with overlapping details.

As always, the drawings then underwent a thorough review by our in-house quality control team before being supplied to our client.