Sauer Properties Case Study
LOCATION: RICHMOND, VA
CLIENT: SAUER PROPERTIES, INC.
In 2013, Sauer Properties, Inc., an affiliate of the Richmond-based food manufacturer, C.F. Sauer Co., purchased a six-acre site situated between the Bon Secours Redskins Training Facility and the company’s corporate headquarters. Sauer Properties plans to transform several of the site’s existing buildings into commercial office spaces.
Before renovation could begin, however, a detailed understanding of the buildings’ existing condition and structural design was required. Using laser scanning and 3D architectural modeling, Prologue generated the 2D floor plans and 3D Revit models used by the architectural and structural teams, respectively. These 3D models will subsequently be used to generate marketing materials that will be helpful when leasing the renovated commercial spaces.
Conceptual building plans (for scale only) integrated with real world site information.
THE PROBLEM
Questionable floor plans and a lack of 3D structural information stunted progress, threatening the project’s timeline as a result. Without this information, neither the architectural nor engineering teams could move forward with project planning. Therefore, gathering this information was critical to the project’s overall success.
When Sauer Properties was seeking City approval for development, it was essential for them to visualize how the proposed construction would compare in size and height to the surrounding buildings. In short, it needed a way to assure The City that the new construction would neither be taller than the neighboring DMV building nor an eyesore to the surrounding community.
PROLOGUE SOLUTION
Above: Point cloud data overlaying the Revit model. Back of Putney Shoe Factory
Using laser scanning technology, Prologue captured accurate 3D measurements for three of the existing buildings on site—The Putney Shoe Factory, 840 Hermitage Road, and 2000 W. Marshall Street—as well as the property’s neighboring exteriors.
Right: Conceptual building plans (for scale only) integrated with real world site information.
Point cloud data overlaying the Revit model. Back of Putney Shoe Factory
3D CONSULTATION
Following 3D laser scanning, Prologue remained involved throughout the planning and permitting phase of the project.
Starting from hand drawn schematic plans provided by the Sauer Properties team, Prologue generated simplified 3D models of the proposed stuctures. These models were then placed directly into the virtual point cloud site for visualization purposes.
The result was a 3D environment that represented a fusion of real-world and hypothetical structures. This visualization capability facilitated discussion with the development team, as well as with The City during the permitting and planning phase.
“Just to visualize the site in 3D helped us to make educated building decisions—not to mention saving us costly and time intensive field work.”
— BRADFORD B. SAUER, VICE PRESIDENT OF SAUER PROPERTIES INC.
BENEFITS
Prologue generated an accurate set of architectural drawings for each of the three buildings, reducing rework costs from the get-go. The comprehensive nature of these plans meant that a single set of drawings could be used across all trades, making additional plans futile; thereby saving the client time and money. Moreover, the site survey, a full-color 3D rendering of the property within the context of the surrounding neighborhood, facilitated City approval of the proposed renovations by demonstrating how the new construction would appear in relation to neighboring structures. This information will further be used by the marketing team to create a detailed 3D rendering of the site. In sum, Prologue’s unique laser scanning approach offered Sauer Properties a better, more comprehensive understanding of the site’s existing buildings and the property as a whole.
A 3D view inside the 840 Hermitage Revit model. Rendering mode set to wireframe.
SERVICES USED:
Laser Scanning
3D Revit Modeling
3D Consultation
TIMELINE
The 138,000-square-foot Putney building and its surroundings took 32 man-hours to scan and it took 42 man-hours to generate the 3D model and 2D floor plans.
The 840 Hermitage Road and 2000 West Marshall Street properties, 16,100 square feet and 28,200 square feet, respectively, took a combined 26 man-hours to scan, with an additional 52 man-hours spent generating the 3D models and 2D floor plans.
“There’s no comparison between looking at one flat piece of paper and looking at something in three dimensions. In the old days, we would start with a bunch of laborious measurements…10 people or so with tape measures. Obviously, that was labor intensive and was not nearly as accurate as a point cloud. I think you guys are the future, so this is where we will start. We are happy to be working with Prologue throughout this process.”
— BRADFORD B. SAUER VICE PRESIDENT OF SAUER PROPERTIES INC.
