Case Study: Rough Point Museum

This case study focuses on the restoration of the Rough Point Museum in Newport, Rhode Island, where DBVW Architects and Existing Conditions have partnered to preserve this historic home.

Rough Point, a Gothic-style mansion once owned by Doris Duke, an heiress, collector, and philanthropist, has been transformed into a historic museum. The home houses an extensive collection of fine and decorative arts, making it a key piece of Newport's cultural heritage.

Currently, DBVW Architects is leading the replacement of Rough Point’s intricate slate and copper roofs, as well as the first phase of a comprehensive exterior masonry restoration to combat ongoing water infiltration issues.

Additionally, they are developing a Strategic Stewardship Plan to define and preserve the building’s unique architectural identity.

‍

‍

Scope of Work

The restoration of the Rough Point Museum was executed in three phases, each requiring critical as-built documentation to support the renovation and preservation of this historic site.

Phase 1: Exterior 3D Laser Scanning (March 2019)

The first phase focused on capturing the building’s exterior details with 3D laser scanning. This process provided highly accurate exterior elevations and roof plans, serving as the foundation for the restoration efforts. By utilizing 3D laser scan technology, Existing Conditions ensured that every architectural detail—from intricate stonework to structural components—was recorded in a digital form for DBVW Architects to make data-driven restoration decisions.

Phase 2: Rough Point Museum Gate Documentation (February 2020)

The wrought iron gate at the entrance of the museum collapsed from a construction vehicle accident. After the accident, Existing Conditions 3D laser scanned the gate to create a 3D Revit model of the damaged pieces, which provided critical information to restore the gate.

Phase 3: Interior 3D Laser Scanning & Floor Plans (October 2020)

The final phase concentrated on the museum’s interior spaces, ensuring that every architectural and structural detail were captured with precision. Existing Conditions completed interior 3D laser scanning to generate detailed floor plans, allowing for a deeper understanding of the spatial relationships, material conditions, and layout of the museum’s historic interiors.

‍

‍

The Challenge

Restoring the Rough Point Museum required overcoming unique challenges that combined historical preservation with modern technology.

A key challenge was balancing structural repairs with preserving the museum’s historic craftsmanship. Every decision had to protect the original design while ensuring it remained functional for the future. This required expert planning to meet restoration needs while maintaining the building’s long-term integrity.

Water infiltration deteriorated the historic building, which could be easily damaged by contact. The architect needed access to dimensions and data for every architectural, structural, and MEP detail to assess and preserve the building. The home also contained an extensive collection of fine and decorative artwork that needed to remain untouched.

Working within this historical site also presented operational constraints. Some areas of the building interior had tight spaces, complex layouts, and poor lighting, making it difficult to position 3D laser scanning equipment and capture accurate data in low light conditions. Many areas were restricted, requiring a detailed plan to access and capture precise documentation. In addition, the home remained open to the public, data capture needed to be completed after hours in carefully planned phases to avoid disturbing visitors.

‍

‍

The Solution

To balance structural repairs with historical preservation, high-resolution 3D laser scanning accurately captured every architectural detail without physical contact. This technology provided a comprehensive digital record, allowing DBVW Architects to analyze materials, measure deterioration, and plan restorations while maintaining the museum’s original craftsmanship.

Water infiltration had weakened parts of the structure, making it susceptible to damage from traditional measurement methods. 3D laser scanning enabled precise documentation without touching the weakening structure, ensuring accurate records while protecting fragile materials. Additionally, scanning was conducted at a safe distance from the museum’s fine and decorative artwork, preventing any risk of disturbance.

The museum’s complex layout, restricted access areas, and poor lighting made traditional surveying difficult. The RTC360, a compact, high-resolution laser scanner, was used to navigate tight spaces while advanced HDR imaging technology compensated for low-light conditions, capturing detailed, accurate interior scans without the need for extensive lighting adjustments.

Since the museum remained open to the public, scanning had to be completed after hours and in carefully planned phases to avoid interfering with visitors. By using efficient, rapid laser scan technology, the team minimized time on-site while ensuring all critical architectural and structural details were documented with precision.

The laser scans were converted into a detailed digital 3D model, providing an interactive reference. This "digital twin" allowed restoration teams to analyze the structure remotely, reducing future physical site visits and supporting long-term preservation efforts.

By integrating 3D laser scanning, the Rough Point Museum restoration team overcame the challenges of historical preservation, structural vulnerabilities, limited access, and operational constraints. This cutting-edge solution ensured accuracy, minimized risk, and helped to streamline the restoration process, safeguarding the museum’s legacy for future generations.

‍

‍

‍

Video: Rough Point Museum Case Study

Watch the case study video below to see restoration efforts for The Rough Point Museum, as DBVW Architects and Existing Conditions have partnered to preserve this historic home.

‍

‍

How This Project Was Unique

Restoring Rough Point Museum is a challenging but important project due to the building’s historical significance. The process requires great attention to detail to preserve the mansion’s original architecture.

The project has two main parts: restoring both the building’s exterior and interior while also developing a long-term care plan. This dual focus adds complexity, as it balances structural repairs with long-term preservation efforts.

‍

Where Does This Project Stand Now?

The Rough Point Museum restoration, led by DBVW Architects, has made significant progress in restoring the building’s exterior, including the replacement of the slate roof and repair of masonry walls. With Phase I nearly complete, attention is now shifting to the restoration of the Trumbauer Wing and the building’s interior, which will address damage from years of water infiltration.

Under the care of the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF), the museum remains an important cultural landmark. As the restoration continues, DBVW Architects’ work ensures the preservation of the mansion’s historical integrity. Previously inaccessible areas of the building will be opened to the public, offering new opportunities to experience the museum's history and architecture.

“The project’s success would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the design, management, and construction team led by DBVW Architects,” says Alyssa Lozupone, Director of Preservation at NRF.

‍

‍

History of Rough Point Museum

Rough Point's storied history began in 1891. The historic landmark in Newport, Rhode Island was commissioned for Frederick Vanderbilt–the mansion's grandeur and scenic location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean contributing to its allure. In 1922, the property underwent a significant transition when it was acquired by the Duke family. James Buchanan Duke, a prominent businessman, left Rough Point to his 12-year-old daughter, Doris Duke, upon his passing in 1925.

Doris Duke's impact on the mansion's history cannot be overstated. Although she did not extensively utilize Rough Point in her early years of ownership, she later took a keen interest in preserving the historic architecture and founded the Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) in the late 1960s. Rough Point became a cornerstone of NRF's efforts to safeguard early historic houses in the Newport area.

After Doris Duke's passing in 1993, NRF inherited Rough Point Mansion and opened it to the public as a museum in 2001. Today, visitors can step back in time, exploring the rooms as Doris Duke left them in 1993, experiencing the opulent lifestyle of this philanthropic heiress.

‍

‍

About the Client DBVW Architects

DBVW Architects emerges as a prominent and revered entity within the architectural domain, distinguished for their exceptional prowess in the realm of historic preservation and restoration. With a legacy spanning numerous years, DBVW Architects have etched their name as a beacon of expertise in safeguarding architectural heritage. Nealia Morrison, a driving force within DBVW Architects, exemplifies this dedication. Her role as a principal and preservation specialist showcases her deep-seated commitment to architectural heritage.‍

At the core of their distinction lies a profound appreciation for historical authenticity, adeptly blending traditional values with modern sensibilities. Their ability to navigate complexities and channel history into functional spaces sets them apart. Fueled by collaboration, they ensure each restoration venture harmonizes heritage and innovation, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a genuine passion for preservation.

“In the past, I think we've all done hand measuring, but we needed the level of detail that was provided in the point cloud. The laser scan really created the foundation of all our documentation that we were able to supplement and do specific really targeted assessments.” - Nealia Morrison, Senior Associate at DBVW Architects

‍

Partnering with DBVW Architects

Existing Conditions and DBVW Architects have partnered for 25 years, with Existing Conditions providing accurate building measurements, allowing DBVW Architects to focus on their architectural work.

Over the years, Existing Conditions has prided itself on utilizing the most up-to-date laser scanning technology, providing DBVW Architects with high-quality, accurate as-built drawings and 3D Revit models. The integration of 3D laser scanning and drone surveys has been instrumental in enhancing the precision and efficiency of DBVW Architects’ projects.

This commitment to staying up to date with the latest technologies has further strengthened the bond between the two companies, solidifying their status as industry leaders in architectural preservation.

Their ongoing collaboration, highlighted by the Rough Point Museum restoration, continues to push innovation in architectural preservation.

‍

Existing Conditions 3D Laser Scanning Services

Existing Conditions has been engaged as a key collaborator with architects specializing in the restoration and preservation of some of the most historically significant buildings in the United States. We deliver accurate as-built documentation of historical sites, architecture, artwork, artifacts, archaeological sites, monuments, and more for clients to make intelligent decisions, mitigate risk, and avoid costly mistakes.

Over the past 27 years, Existing Conditions has measured, documented, and modeled over 10,000 buildings across the United States, establishing ourselves as an industry leader in 3D laser scanning.

Architects trust us to deliver digital representations of the as-built environment with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. Our dedicated Project Managers provide fast and accurate 3D laser scanning services and drone imagery services, and expert CAD and BIM technicians create custom, detailed deliverables, including point clouds, 2D CAD drawings, 3D BIM models, 3D mesh models, TruViews, and 3D virtual tours.

Our greatest reward remains delivering superior-quality scan-to-BIM work and knowing we played a vital role in our clients’ historical architecture and preservation projects.

What can we help you visualize?