PLANNING & DESIGN
Printing and scanning the future: taking 3D design to the next level
Nick Godfrey of Central Scanning explores how architects are using 3D printing and scanning to not only visualise but also create their projects with greater efficiency and accuracy than ever before
D scanning and printing are increasingly innovative and powerful tools that are single-handedly changing the way the world works.
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They’ve already revolutionised the medical and aerospace industries, with technological advancements enabling them to be used to create all manner of objects. From prosthetic limbs and recreating people’s jaws, to alloys that are capable of making planes lighter and faster, the possibilities are endless, and now the architecture industry stand to benefit from this advanced technology.
Overcoming historical complexities While they may be tried and tested, using traditional methods to design and deliver projects takes time. And if the end results are wrong, refinements will undoubtedly need to be made, which can come at a cost, as well as put pressure on deadlines. However, it can be difficult to guarantee the end result will be 100 per cent right – particularly where more complex and unique briefs are concerned. This is especially true when working with listed buildings, where it’s essential that the historical architecture isn’t compromised. Any alterations that are made need to be in keeping with the property and carried out in accordance with relevant building and planning legislation. But the sheer size and scale of some of these sites can be immense and the intricacies of the interior and exterior design can be incredibly detailed. 3D scans are frequently used to capture these types of buildings, providing before and after scans to verify that work has been performed within agreed planning regulations. It’s also common for historic buildings of interest to be scanned to maintain real-life
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records of erosion. Having these scans on file means that in the event of a fire or any other damage taking place; the 3D data can be used to re-commission or restore the building exactly back to its original state. And in the case of the historic Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian, Historic Environment Scotland have been using 3D scanning since 2008 to create meticulous scans of the chapel to make the landmark more accessible for people with visual impairments, creating tactile 3D prints of the chapel’s best-known features.
Bringing new build visions to life 3D printing and 3D scanning also provides widespread assistance in relation to newer builds too. One application that’s particularly popular is scanning multiple buildings so that any new buildings can be
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At Rosslyn Chapel, Historic Environment Scotland have been using 3D scanning to make the landmark more accessible for people with visual impairments, creating tactile 3D prints of its best-known features
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