3D Building Model: St Michael's Hospital in Bristol

At SIAD Studio, our mission is to redefine how complex construction and refurbishment projects are initiated and executed, replacing guesswork with precision. Our work at St Michael's Hospital in Bristol exemplifies this approach, showcasing the indispensable value of a comprehensive, accurate 3D Building Model for large-scale medical facilities.

Hospitals, being highly intricate buildings with decades of modifications and critical, life-sustaining services, present unique challenges for modern design teams. When the objective is to refurbish, reconfigure, or re-purpose a section of an operational site like St Michael's, having a reliable, up-to-date spatial record is not merely helpful—it is essential.

Precision Data for Critical Design

Our method involves deploying advanced 3D laser scanning technology to capture the existing physical reality of the hospital structure. This process gathers millions of data points, collectively forming a dense, high-resolution point cloud. This digital representation acts as a perfect spatial twin of the building, documenting every structural component, pipe, duct, and cable tray with sub-millimetre accuracy.

The resulting 3D Building Model, delivered in common industry formats such as Revit or AutoCAD, allows the design team to work directly within a BIM (Building Information Modelling) environment. This capability is transformative. Instead of relying on potentially obsolete two-dimensional drawings, designers can now:

• Visualise the complex relationships between existing services and structural elements in three dimensions.

• Verify clearances and identify potential clashes between proposed new installations and the current infrastructure before any physical work begins.

• Optimise the routing of new mechanical and electrical systems, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimising site disruption.

The benefit of this approach is immediate and substantial: it reduces design risk, eliminates costly on-site delays caused by unforeseen clashes, and significantly accelerates the project lifecycle. For a critical facility like St Michael's Hospital, minimizing time-on-site and disruption is paramount to maintaining patient care and operational continuity.

Nationwide Capability for Large-Scale Projects

The success of the St Michael's Hospital project is a testament to SIAD Studio’s capability in delivering highly detailed and accurate 3D measured surveys for major, complex structures. Our expertise is not limited to healthcare; we regularly execute projects requiring this level of precision across various sectors.

SIAD Studio is equipped to provide comprehensive 3D Building Models and Measured Building Surveys for large-scale buildings across the country. This includes high-profile, intricate sites such as major hospitals—where accuracy directly impacts functionality and safety—and significant heritage sites, where the non-intrusive nature of 3D scanning is vital for preservation while providing data for conservation or adaptation works. We are committed to providing the spatial intelligence that modern design and construction demand, ensuring that projects nationwide are built on a foundation of absolute spatial certainty.