Archive for October, 2019

Fulham Town Hall – Scan2BIM

Posted on: October 24th, 2019 by Jason Antill

Fulham Town Hall is going to be refurbished and its use changed, therefore our client needed our specialist team to produce a 3D Revit model of the building. Our technical team worked with a Global Positioning System, as this way the model is referenced to a worldwide system and can be positioned in its exact position. The execution of the 3D model has been done with a high level of accuracy, counting with the latest equipment to gather the data: a new Leica scanner, which allowed us to scan in colour, and also a drone survey, which provided us with precise data of the roof.

During the process of the 3D survey the team had to face different challenges, being Fulham Town Hall an historical building with complicated floors and structure, and with heavily ornated walls and ceilings.

Overcoming those challenges our team managed to undertake an excellent survey of the entire building, from the basement to the roof. All permanent and existing parts of the building have been modelled and coordinated to give a professional and accurate result. External walls, internal partitions, beams, columns and roof void form the enclosure, to which additional integral parts of the premises like staircases, windows, doors, ceiling moulding, etc. have been added.

Highlight: the Roof Void of the building, above the Main Hall of the Town Hall. This part was one of the most complicated and complexes the team had to model, due to the challenging way to merge the data, and also because of the amount of detail present in the void. This was overcome with hard work and team work, two of the core ideas present in our PRE team.

This is a colour Point Cloud created from a drone survey. To get this data a drone pilot went on site and took pictures from the premises at a safe height. After this, the data is processed in the office with a software that converts the pictures into a 3D point cloud that we can then use in Revit. The drone survey was fundamental for us to be able to model the roof of the project.

This is the inside of the Grand Hall of the town hall. This room had quite a lot of detail that we had to model in our project, like the domes of the ceiling or the columns. Also, not visible from the hall, but still as important, this ceiling that we see in the picture is being held by a wood structure that is located between the ceiling and the roof. This structure was one of the most complicated parts that we modelled in this building and it was key for the restoration and design of the building.

Picture of one of the main staircases. This staircase goes from the reception area of the Fulham Road side on the Ground Floor, to the First Floor. Using this staircase we have access to the side doors of the Main Hall on the First Floor. The richness of the space can be seen in this picture, on the columns, mouldings and natural light from the windows.

Render image of the Main Hall stage. The ceiling was the most complicated part in this room. As it can be seen in the image, this was formed of domes and curved parts, and it also had mouldings surrounding the walls. The scale of the space can be appreciated when we compare the size of the doors and windows with the height of the room.

 

Façade of the building facing Harwood Road. Even though this entrance is not the main one of the town hall, it still has plenty of detail and decoration. In addition to the stone details in wall mouldings and columns, we can also see the town hall clock in the middle top of the elevation. This clock was modelled in the project for its restoration and preservation.

Image of a 3D section through the south wing of the building. This is very interesting as different heights of the floors and the rooms can be seen. The rooms with lower height area offices and utility rooms, and the ones with higher height are halls and similar rooms. One of the main staircases can also be seen in this image, that goes from the entrance on Harwood Road to the First Floor.

Image of a 3D section through the north wing of the building. The most interesting thing that can be seen in this section is the Main Hall, with the stage, the seating area and the dome/ceiling structure. This structure, as it has been mentioned before, has been one of the most complicated parts of the project as it is formed of hundreds of structural pieces in different directions and positions.

 

Prevention better than cure!

Posted on: October 2nd, 2019 by Jason Antill

Planned Preventative Maintenance

Over the course of time, all buildings will naturally degrade without maintenance.  Having a Planned Preventative Maintenance Report in place will enable a client to look after an asset (inclusive of serviced equipment) and ensure that the property will last longer, look better and retain its value.  This in turn would make it more attractive to Landlords and Leaseholders. 

Planned Preventative Maintenance (also known in the industry as PPM) survey reports are an essential tool that can enable building owners/occupiers to maintain, manage and improve their assets in a proactive way, as opposed to reactive.

As a surveyor, preparing a PPM report involves a very detailed survey inspection of an asset in the first instance, in order to assess the general condition and record defects. Following the capture of data on site, a detailed report is then prepared, which typically includes a schedule of recommended works in coming years.  These can also be split into immediate, short, medium and long term timeframes, to give our client a decent snapshot of what is likely be coming up in the near/ far future. 

Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) systems and plant are essential within most assets and such systems can vary in type, design, frequency of use and age.  Moreover, M&E can be costly to repair/replace. That is why we work with our specialist M&E survey team, in order to give a full and comprehensive overview of the building, inclusive of all its components (including M&E).

From the PPM report, a surveyor is then able to advise in regard to any necessary remedial works along with indicative timeframes and estimated budget costs, so that a client/ property owner can budget accordingly. For us this means that we work closely with our clients, or their property managers, in a collaborative way in order to work out what the best strategy would be going forward.

PPM’s are not just a useful tool for realising maintenance and repair works, they will also consider health and safety issues, matters of statutory compliance, thermal performance issues and suitability/fitness for purpose, etc.

Another key objective of PPM’s is to provide some foresight of any unexpected or costly repairs based on the detailed information that we collect on site (de-risking if you will). We find that clients benefit from PPMs regardless of economic or political climate. For example, we know that when an economic downturn occurs (or even a departure from the EU!), this can give rise to increased due diligence within the industry.  Subsequently, in the current climate PRE have seen that many clients have decided to focus more on the assets they have at present, as opposed to any potential future acquisitions or disposals.

Essentially, our expert advice and reports can enable our clients to maintain and optimise the value of their portfolios over any particular timeframe, which ultimately means that they can be assured that their assets are in good repair and well looked after.  Furthermore, where required, we can also arrange for measured surveys, asbestos surveys and Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) to be undertaken simultaneously.

Whatever the situation, PRE will make sure that our client maintenance plan is tailored to your requirements.

If you are looking for PPM, building surveying or property advice then please do get in touch with the team here at PRE on +44 (0)208 406 3000 or email us at [email protected]

PRE Chartered Surveyors

 

Team Member of the Month

Posted on: October 1st, 2019 by Jason Antill

September’s Team Member of the Month has been announced and it is our newest team member Sam O’Connor. Sam was voted as he has brought a lot of fun to the office but is always willing to go that extra mile when necessary. Well done!

A bit more about Sam:

My career history:

I am current working as an Apprentice Surveyor at PRE and enjoying the position immensely. Prior to joining PRE Surveyors I received a BSC in Product Design at Bournemouth University. I also worked part-time as a Bartender in South London for 2 years. This gave me the free time to work on a product idea.

My career highlight:

Winning the Morgan Innovation & Technology award for most commercially viable product which was a device that reduces mosquito oviposition. I was also a finalist in the MIAT Prize competition at the Santander headquarters in London.

What I do differently:

I have an inquisitive nature so I am always asking lots of questions. I want to learn as much as I can.

My favourite travel destination:

I have travelled across many countries in Europe and I have to say my favourite destination is Belgium. I am going to San Francisco at the end of the month so maybe my answer will change.

My favourite drink:
I tend to stick to a pint of beer however I am partial to a few tequilas on a night out.

What keeps me busy in my spare time:
I love to travel and I also enjoy playing Age of Magic.

My favourite food:
There’s not many cuisines I don’t enjoy however I think Mexican has to be at the top of my list.

My favourite eatery:
In Brighton (where my partner lives) there is a Mexican restaurant called La Choza.

Not many people know this about me:
I like drawing and painting.

Q3 PRE Review is out

Posted on: October 1st, 2019 by Jason Antill

A surprising busy Q3 over the summer but well received. Matt McGettigan our expert Building Surveyor & Project Manager completed some great projects in central London & Bristol

Clients confirm we are still the GO TO for competitively priced Measured Surveys across the UK.

Distinguishing ourselves against cost, time & customer service.