Reality Capture for Heritage Conservation
Digitally Documenting the Past to Preserve It for the Future
Heritage buildings are irreplaceable treasures. Whether they are community landmarks, symbols of cultural identity, or architectural gems, they deserve a careful and precise approach when it comes time for restoration, repair, or repurposing. Yet the reality is that many of these structures were built long before modern building records, and few have up-to-date documentation of their current condition.
At SDMM, we help heritage organizations, architects, engineers, and municipalities move forward with confidence using non-invasive and highly accurate reality capture solutions.
Why Use Reality Capture for Heritage Sites?
Traditional survey and measurement methods are often too invasive or imprecise for historic structures. SDMM’s reality capture services provide a modern, reliable, and non-destructive solution for documenting complex, aging buildings.
Our process typically includes:
- 3D Laser Scanning. High-speed and accurate capture of dimensions and geometry.
- High-Resolution Imagery. Visual records of architectural features and condition.
- As-Built/Existing Condition 3D Models (CAD/BIM). Geometrically accurate files for use in restoration planning and stakeholder coordination
- Cloud-Based Visualization. Remote access to the site, 24/7, for your entire team
Whether your goal is to restore, renovate, document, or protect, SDMM creates a trustworthy foundation for every step of the journey.
Real-World Projects: SDMM’s Work in Heritage Preservation
Advanced Technology Meets the Historic Lunenburg Opera House
In partnership with the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Society, SDMM was brought in to support the preservation and future transformation of the iconic Lunenburg Opera House. With no reliable record drawings to work from, we used high-resolution 3D laser scanning to capture the building’s major structural elements and generate an as-built Revit model.
This digital twin enabled the project’s architects and consultants to plan with accuracy, align their design vision, and prepare a comprehensive tender package. Our data also facilitated better communication between design and construction teams, avoiding delays and reducing cost overruns before work even began.
Learn more about our approach to historic scans in our FAQs ›
Historic Building Gets a New Life
A century-old Edwardian Baroque structure, once a city post office, is now being repurposed for modern commercial use. But no original drawings or as-built records could be found. The building had been altered many times over the decades, none of it documented.
SDMM was contracted to provide full-site reality capture:
- Scanning all interior rooms, rooflines, facades, and grounds
- Delivering a complete point cloud dataset
- Converting scan data into a Revit model for the design team
- Enabling remote access to the site through cloud-based viewing tools
This gave the architect full 3D visibility of the structure from anywhere, at any time, allowing them to assess existing conditions and design with clarity. The result was greater collaboration, fewer surprises, and time saved across the design lifecycle.
Preserving a National Treasure: Église Sainte-Marie
Built in 1905 in Church Point, Nova Scotia, Église Sainte-Marie is one of the tallest and largest wooden churches in North America. With its 56-metre spire and historic significance to the Acadian community, the church stands as a symbol of craftsmanship and culture.
SDMM is documenting this iconic structure with advanced 3D laser scanning. Every architectural detail is being digitally captured to support conservation efforts, ensuring that the building’s legacy is protected, studied, and preserved for generations to come.
Modernizing Record Information for Cathedral Restoration
At the historic St. John’s Basilica Cathedral, SDMM was engaged by The Basilica Heritage Foundation in 2017 to support future restoration initiatives with a focus on modernizing existing building documentation. With no accurate digital records available, our team completed a comprehensive laser scanning survey of the entire precinct, including The Basilica Cathedral, The Sisters of Presentation buildings, The Sisters of Mercy buildings, The Archbishop’s Palace, The Episcopal Library, the Skinner Building at St. Bonaventure’s College, and most of the property grounds. Field capture was accomplished using the Leica P30 laser scanner, gathering high-quality point cloud data and imagery from both ground level and rooftop vantage points. This allowed us to generate a detailed Revit model that was shared with several stakeholders, including the project’s lighting consultant, to explore new lighting design alternatives. SDMM also produced 3D virtual tours, accurate floor plans, and detailed window drawings to support the restoration of the aged stained-glass windows in the Cathedral. Our reality capture deliverables provided both a measured and visual platform for coordination and design, streamlining communication between stakeholders and supporting the long-term preservation of this iconic site.
Restoring a Landmark: George Wright House
Located in Halifax’s South End, the George Wright House stands as a cherished Queen Anne Revival-style building and is a home to the Local Council of Women (LCW-H). Like many heritage buildings, decades of undocumented renovations had left the site without a clear understanding of its current condition.
SDMM performed a comprehensive 3D scan using the Leica RTC360, generating a highly detailed point cloud shared in Autodesk ReCap format. This allowed:
- Accurate production of floor plans, sections, and elevation drawings.
- Visualization-ready 3D modeling for stakeholder communication.
- A permanent digital record for future reference or 3D printing.
“This work will let us move forward, beyond required repairs, towards true restoration and longevity for our historic space and our organization,” said Sarah MacDonald, Volunteer President of LCW-H.
Why Reality Capture Services Matter
Heritage buildings often lack reliable documentation, and that’s exactly where reality capture becomes invaluable. Accurate as-built data reduces uncertainty in planning, aids in grant and funding applications, builds trust among community stakeholders, helps project teams avoid costly surprises, and preserves the story and details of the original craftsmanship. From small nonprofits to large municipal projects, SDMM’s clients turn to reality capture to bridge the past with the future.
Planning a Heritage Project?
Whether you're restoring a single structure or planning a multi-site conservation initiative, we’re here to help. SDMM specializes in capturing complexity with clarity, giving you the digital tools to make informed decisions and preserve what matters most.
