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Leica Geosystems and 3877 Design Flex Imaging Laser Scanning Muscles to Whip Pulse Fitness into Shape

By christopher.dollard

|
07/15/2019

Leica’s BLK360 Takes the Heavy Lifting Out of Commercial Architecture and Design.


Heerbrugg, Switzerland – May 15, 2019Leica Geosystems, part of Hexagon, industry leader in measurement technology, and 3877 Design, a boutique design firm focused on high-end commercial, residential, multi-family, restaurant, and hospitality projects, recently completed the physical transformation of a 5,000 square foot fitness studio. The project demonstrates the power of using an imaging laser scanner in mixed use commercial space.

Designers and architects working in mixed use commercial buildings manage various and complex challenges when physically transforming spaces. For 3877 Design and their client, Pulse Fitness, they were faced with inaccurate drawings of the space, a lack of knowledge of what was behind the walls, and had to factor into the design that one wall abutted the ramps in the building’s parking garage. The building also had a variety of tenants and businesses, including a popular coffee shop above the space that shared plumbing with the fitness studio. Coincidentally, the previous tenant in the Pulse Fitness space was also a fitness studio, but their lease was not renewed due to the volume of noise at the gym that interrupted other tenants conducting business. 

The 3877 team working on the Pulse Fitness project consisted of an architect, a designer, and a professional sound engineer with expertise in acoustic attenuation to eliminate the noise issue. Along with doing significant renovations to transform the space and ensure it was soundproof and wouldn’t cause vibrations throughout the building, the team was also tasked with creating an ambiance of camaraderie that would be welcoming and inspiring for members.

Using the Leica BLK360, the world’s smallest imaging laser scanner, 3877 Design was able to easily and accurately capture the details and dimensions of the space, which also helped them determine what’s behind the walls. The 2.2 pound scanner was set up in the studio and with the push of a single button, the BLK360 took a panoramic scan of the space at a rate of 360,000 laser scan points per second. The entire space was captured by the scanner within minutes. The scans and data were then uploaded to a point cloud and put into Autodesk’s Revit software where 3877 was able to share the details of the space with the team and the client to collaborate throughout every step in the process.

For us, the hardest part was trying to design around the things we couldn’t see such as the mechanical and electrical behind the walls. Using Leica’s BLK360, we were able to accurately measure the space and spot the differences between the original drawings and what was actually there, as well as see what was hidden behind the walls, said David Shove-Brown, partner at 3877 Design. 

For many architects and designers, it’s not uncommon to return to a space and discover things that weren’t originally seen or to remeasure. This takes time, raises costs, and can undermine the firm’s credibility with the client. With accurate measurements of the space, 3877 didn’t have to return to the space, which saved lots of time and instilled even greater confidence in the client.

“The BLK360 gives architects and designers a powerful and collaborative tool to streamline the decision-making process and produce the best deliverables for their clients,” said Stephen Smith, USA/Canada Business Development Manager BLK360, Leica Geosystems. “By providing accurate drawings of the space, the entire team is assured they’re all looking at the same things. They can create a build out that they know will work without incurring additional or unnecessary time or expenses.”

Once the permits were obtained, the Pulse Fitness project took approximately six months to complete. The studio is soundproof, the members are engaged, the other tenants aren’t distracted, and the client has the assurance of a well designed and structurally sound space.

ABOUT //3877:

In fall 2010 close friends David Tracz and David Shove-Brown began the process of realizing their decade old dream of forming a professional architecture + design partnership.  Through over two decades of experience, the duo developed goals of not only working with clients interested in the design process but also teaming with partners who can help provide the highest levels of design, construction and presentation.  After months of planning and development, //3877 was born.

//3877 is a multi-disciplinary firm that focuses on single family, multiple-unit residential, commercial, restaurant and hospitality projects. In seeking success while working with these various project types, //3877 begins with the very simple process of asking questions and listening carefully to the answers, prioritizing the concepts of partnerships and teamwork. Very simply, //3877 is committed to providing innovative and creative designs to enhance and enrich the lives of clients, partners and communities.

ABOUT LEICA GEOSYSTEMS:

Revolutionising the world of measurement and survey for nearly 200 years, Leica Geosystems creates complete solutions for professionals across the planet. Known for premium products and innovative solution development, professionals in a diverse mix of industries, such as aerospace and defence, safety and security, construction, and manufacturing, trust Leica Geosystems for all their geospatial needs. With precise and accurate instruments, sophisticated software, and trusted services, Leica Geosystems delivers value every day to those shaping the future of our world.

Leica Geosystems is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity improvements across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications.


Disclaimer: This article features the Leica BLK360 G1. Explore the expanded capabilities of the latest BLK360 model here.