Existing Conditions Announces 3D Laser Scanner Donation to The Boston Architectural College
Existing Conditions Announces 3D Laser Scanner Donation to The Boston Architectural College
Boston, MA, June 16, 2022
Existing Conditions founder and CEO Kurt Yeghian announced the donation of a FARO X-120 3D laser scanner with software, valued at over $30,000, to his alma mater the Boston Architectural College (BAC) to be used in training future architects.
"What I learned at the BAC has helped me make more informed decisions in the profession for over 25 years. It's exciting to give back to the next generation,” said Yeghian, an alumnus. “They are a great school, they’re involved in the community, and we’re pleased we can contribute our expertise, experience, and now, some of our 3D laser scanning technology.”
The Boston Architectural College’s mission is to provide excellence in design education that is rooted in practice and is accessible to diverse communities. The school started as a professional society in 1889. In 1971, the program became the first in the United States to offer a work component. As of 2009, the BAC had one of the largest faculty and student bodies of New England architecture programs, as well as one of the lowest tuition rates. The BAC has maintained its open admission policy, affordability, dedicated faculty, and value of academic and experiential learning throughout its history.
Existing Conditions contacted BAC Associate Director of Alumni Relations and Development, Eliza Wilson, to develop a working relationship with the school, offer 3D laser scanning expertise to students, and to partner with the college in giving back to the community. The laser scanning, drone survey, BIM, and CAD services company participated in a small number of the school’s industry round table discussions and continues to look for ways to spread its CEO’s message, “The old ways don’t work anymore.”
The BAC has fostered the growth of many well-known alumni including Arcangelo Cascieri, Charles L. Fletcher, Glenn Gissler, William Sutherland Maxwell, Louis Skidmore, Edward Durell Stone, Wallace Harrison, and Buckminster Fuller. The college continues to impact the architectural community through its commitment and vision, by promoting social justice, through its global network, by being a full-spectrum education partner and a cutting-edge intellectual leader, by promoting design literacy and resilience, and by continuing as a robust institution into the future.
Yeghian believes in his alma mater and its commitment to its values. “The BAC has a commitment to design, diversity, empathy, excellence, inclusion, innovation, integrity, resilience, and respect. These values dovetail with ours as an organization. It sounds like we all want to do good, honest work.”
The Boston Architectural College began as a professional club in 1889. In 1971, we became the first accredited architecture program with a work component in the US. Since then, we have introduced programs in interior architecture, landscape architecture, and design studies.
FAQs
What is 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning captures the as-built documentation of existing buildings or sites. Data is acquired with a 3D laser scanner equipped with LiDAR technology in the form of a point cloud and is used to develop 2D CAD drawings or 3D BIM models, expediting the design, planning, and development of architecture, engineering, and construction projects.
How Does Laser Scanning Work?
One primary method is that a laser scanner sends light pulses at high speeds which reflect off objects and return to the scanners’ sensor. For each pulse, the distance between the scanner and object is measured by determining the elapsed time between the sent and received pulses. Each point of the scan will be converted to a pixel with a known x-, y-, and z- coordinate. Laser scans or LiDAR scans are taken in multiple positions around a site from varying viewpoints. Millions of data points are captured and processed into a point cloud, creating an accurate data set of the structure or site.
What are the Benefits of 3D Laser Scanning?
3D laser scanning captures millions of 3D data points per second for each scan location, providing incredibly rich data of a building or project site. Sites are captured in high detail the first time, eliminating disruption and the need for return visits. Datasets are dimensionally accurate, measurable and shareable, expediting project planning and execution. Accurate design plans are produced from the start expediting field work and reducing change orders, delays and costs. Communication is improved, teams can discuss plans while each has access to the same information, creating a more dynamic working environment.