Three-d laser scanning of the Clapp Family barn began today. This technology is now the accepted means of documenting the current conditions of historic buildings. The firm of Harry R. Feldman, Inc., is providing the scan as part of its pro-bono program of documenting historic buildings, placing our barn in a list that includes the Old State House.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Today the firm of Harry R. Feldman, Inc., began the laser-scanning of the Clapp Family Barn to produce a 3d record of the building. The Clapp Family Barn joins other historic properties including the Old State House in the pro-bono program of the firm.
Laser scanning is a relatively new technology that has been used as a precise survey instrument only since 1998. It is quickly became a new industry standard and a prominent vehicle to make very accurate measurements in complicated environments. 3D laser scanning is used for acquiring building spatial data in three dimensions with high fidelity and low processing time. The rapid collection of 3D information serves several purposes including historical, documentation and facility condition documentation. This technology is considered the best solution for measuring as-built conditions for both exteriors and interiors of buildings. With several “scan” setups, a complete 3D model can be made of the existing conditions. These models are then used to create 2D civil or architectural drawings, 3D computer models, and final survey documents.
In the near term, the scan will serve as a valuable tool in producing architectural specifications for the replacement of doors and windows. In the years to come the Society will make use of the scan as a way of monitoring changes to the building over time.
The Dorchester Historical Society thanks Harry R. Feldman, Inc., for choosing the Clapp Family Barn as a candidate for the pro-bono scanning project.