Reality Capture For Clash Detection & Coordination

ABOUT THE PROJECT

J. Calnan & Associates (JC&A) hired us to perform reality capture at a newly constructed, multi-story building delivered as a white box shell. With future tenant fit-outs planned for laboratory and technical uses, JC&A’s priority was to establish an accurate record of existing conditions before tenant design began. This approach reduced the risk of equipment clashes and helped avoid costly field rework during construction.

OUR SOLUTION

We integrated reality capture into the preconstruction and coordination process to support informed design decisions. Our work included:

• Capturing existing conditions using high-density 3D laser scanning across targeted areas of the building.
• Scanning across shell spaces, mechanical zones, bathrooms, and electrical rooms to document true dimensions and installed conditions.
• Delivering a coordinated 3D point cloud consistent with the project’s Revit coordinate system, allowing all trades to work from a shared, accurate reference model.
• Supporting clash detection and trade coordination by verifying ceiling heights, column locations, routing constraints, and clearances before fabrication.
• Performing scans in multiple phases as construction progressed, to ensure models reflected real conditions as systems were installed.

THE IMPACT

By providing an accurate digital representation of the building, our reality capture scans allowed project teams to resolve coordination issues virtually rather than in the field, reducing site visits and minimizing design conflicts during tenant fit-outs.

ABOUT J. CALNAN & ASSOCIATES

J. Calnan & Associates is a construction management and preconstruction services firm specializing in life sciences, advanced technology, healthcare, academic, corporate interiors, and R&D facilities. They are known for their trademark ‘We Build…®’ philosophy.