Our Timeline

After serving in the U.S. Air Force as an engineer, Kurt Yeghian founded Existing Conditions Surveys Incorporated. While working at a Boston architectural firm and pursuing his architectural degree, Kurt recognized a common problem: measuring existing buildings was often left to junior staff, lacking the experience, expertise, and equipment to produce accurate as-built drawings. This frequently led to costly change orders and project delays. Recognizing the importance of precise documentation, Kurt founded Existing Conditions to provide high-quality building documentation more accurately, efficiently, and cost-effectively than anyone else in the market.

The formation of Existing Conditions' website heralded a welcome professional source for architects, engineers, real estate owners, and other building industry professionals to procure an accurate set of as-built drawings for their projects. Existing Conditions was awarded their first project three hours after the launch of our website. This was the beginning of an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the building industry to this new service.

Because the building industry embraces the concept of a single source for professional and accurate creation of existing conditions drawings, existingconditions.com evolved into Existing Conditions Surveys, Inc. Existing Conditions became a veteran-owned Massachusetts Subchapter S Corporation, which added value and protection to the company as it continued to grow.

In 2001, Existing Conditions welcomed PJ Sullivan. PJ is responsible for quality control as well as high-profile and complex 3D modeling. PJ is based in the United Kingdom and continues to be a valued resource on Existing Conditions' projects.

Following the lead of his older brother, Existing Conditions was pleased to welcome Joseph Sullivan to the firm. Today, Joe is still with Existing Conditions as a senior staff member, as well as one of our FAA-certified drone pilots in charge.

In 2002, Existing Conditions was awarded our first large, high-profile project: The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Existing Conditions competed against several more mature companies for this project, and after we completed this large, complicated project, our reputation as a valued consultant was solidified in the region. This project marked Existing Conditions' first use of terrestrial 3D laser scanning.

Building on the great work in our portfolio and attracting five additional staff, Existing Conditions expanded from a small, Boston-based service provider to a regional one. Existing Conditions' reputation and portfolio grew through the successful execution of hundreds of projects and the satisfaction of many clients.

With great pride and honor, Existing Conditions was awarded a no-bid contract to 3D laser scan and deliver an existing BIM model (Building Information Model) of the United States Senate Chamber in Washington, D.C. After the successful completion of this project, Existing Conditions’ reputation as a regional provider of high-quality existing conditions drawings was established. The recognition from this project opened doors to other such high-profile projects that we have had the honor of completing: Massachusetts State House, The Pentagon, Carnegie Hall, The Willis Tower, and the New York Stock Exchange.

Learn more about our work at the United States Senate Chamber by reading our in-depth case study →

Existing Conditions welcomed Brian Ely to the firm, from his former position as the BIM manager of Kallman McKinnell and Wood Architects (a storied firm located in Boston). Brian remains with Existing Conditions today as a senior member of management, the VP of Operations. Brian’s expertise and work ethic have been instrumental in helping us adopt the latest technologies and methods, significantly elevating the quality of our work.

The addition of Philip Smith to the firm was an event that allowed us to not only deploy a 3D modeler that is exceptionally versed in Revit, but also a mind that has allowed Existing Conditions to stay at the “tip of the spear” of technology. As a company, we always need to be at the cutting edge, and we maintain our edge as a result. Philip serves as our VP of Product and Technology, and leads the production of our most complicated services.

Starting in 2011, Existing Conditions made the bold move of deploying three new FARO Focus 3D laser scanners. This new generation of scanners allowed our team to collect field data faster, more accurately, and less expensively than previous methods. The speed and accuracy that we are now able to collect data has been a watershed to us and our clients, allowing us to deliver work of unprecedented quality and accuracy. This is also a time when Existing Conditions became the largest user of FARO laser scanners on the East Coast.

In 2015, Existing Conditions deployed the FARO Freestyle Handheld 3D laser scanner. The FARO Freestyle was a useful tool for capturing intricate details on various projects. The handheld design allowed for complete 360-degree scanning around objects, which was not possible with tripod-mounted scanners limited to certain angles.

Building on our new senior staff and proprietary workflow, we added seven new staff members during this period, all of whom are still with the firm. The addition of our pool of highly skilled and motivated staff allowed us to expand our operations, moving into areas across North America, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Miami, San Francisco, and Houston, to name a few.

As our projects grow larger and more complex and the need for accurate information grows, we have had great success deploying the latest generation of Leica scanners. The amount of situational awareness that we provide to our clients is staggering, especially considering the compressed timeline that most projects are under. We continue to demonstrate successful execution, completion, and follow-up on all projects. A FARO scan would take two and a half minutes, and the room was filled with round spheres serving as targets. Each scan would take four to five minutes because of the use of spheres. With Leica, the 3D scanner has a video camera-based system, and no targets are needed. When it is moved, the system recognizes its location, and the scan scan takes only up to 30 seconds.

Existing Conditions began deploying drone technology in support of our terrestrial scanning equipment. This further added to our clients’ situational awareness of their most valuable assets. We consider drones a valuable tool in our arsenal that helps clients better understand the built environment of their projects. The drone can be used to capture imagery of roof structures that we cannot see from the ground with our traditional scanning process. Many roofs cannot be safely accessed or seen from the street level, so this is one instance where a drone can be deployed.

The introduction of the Artec Eva scanner in 2019 provided Existing Conditions with improved fidelity, resolution, and accuracy in our scans. The tracking system of the scanner allowed us to capture finer architectural details with precision. This was particularly useful when scanning intricate details that needed to be recreated for building restoration purposes. By sending the scanned details to fabricators, they were able to accurately recreate and restore these architectural elements. The Artec Eva scanner became an invaluable tool in Existing Conditions’ arsenal, expanding our capabilities and enhancing our ability to capture and recreate intricate building details.

Because of our relationship with the United States State Department, Existing Conditions was selected to 3D laser scan and provide a BIM model of the United States Embassy Complex in Monrovia, Liberia. As a veteran-owned company, we are excited to support the United States Department of State and United States Marine Corps with the renovation and expansion of the embassy complex.

Transitioning from the DJI Phantom Pro 3 to the DJI Mavic Air 2 in 2020 marked a significant leap in drone technology, particularly in camera capabilities, with the DJI Mavic Air 2 having a jump from 20 to 48 megapixels for superior image quality and detail. Additionally, the DJI Mavic Air 2 introduced advanced obstacle avoidance features, in contrast to the Phantom Pro 3's lack of such capabilities, enhancing safety during flight operations. Furthermore, DJI's implementation of geofencing in 2013 played a crucial role in promoting safer and compliant drone flights by facilitating better communication with the FAA and restricting flights to authorized areas, enhancing the DJI Mavic Air 2's advancements in both technology and safety measures.

In 2021, Existing Conditions introduced the Leica ScanStation P50 3D laser scanner, renowned for its durability and weatherproof design, particularly suitable for harsh construction environments. With a range of up to a kilometer, it excels in scanning large-scale environments like high-rise buildings, although requiring more personnel and time compared to other scanners. Additionally, Existing Conditions debuted the NavVis VLX, a mobile mapping device utilizing SLAM technology for efficient scanning. While the NavVis VLX's size limits its use in certain environments, its integration with tools like the Leica RTC360 and Leica ScanStation P50 enhances overall workflows, exemplified by its use in projects where drone flights were restricted, showcasing its value in complementing other scanning methods.

With great pride and boundless optimism, founder Kurt Yeghian welcomes Jared Curtis as an equity partner in the firm. Jared, a Cornell University Architecture graduate who also has a background in commercial real estate and private equity, will be heading up the continued growth initiatives of the firm, as well as working on corporate rebranding of our well-established, continually profitable firm. Jared’s expertise and vision are a welcome addition to our winning team and will propel us to new heights.

In 2022, Existing Conditions deployed the Leica Gen 2 BLK360, notable for its ability to capture images simultaneously while scanning, speeding up color scans significantly. This advancement aligns it more closely with the Leica RTC360, integrating new tracking technology for improved maneuverability. Additionally, Existing Conditions adopted the Autel Nano drone for training purposes and situational use, offering greater flexibility due to its lack of geofencing compared to DJI models. The DJI Mini 3 Pro was also added for its compact size and advanced features, meeting regulatory requirements effortlessly. Furthermore, Existing Conditions utilized the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Series for its thermal imaging capabilities in projects such as the St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, Massachusetts, optimizing energy efficiency without invasive measures.

Existing Conditions’ introduction of the DJI Air 3 in 2023 was a response to the growing need for drones and the rapid advancements in technology. As with many electronics, by the time a product is purchased, a newer version is already on the horizon. The DJI Air 3 stands out with its exceptional camera capabilities, including a 48-megapixel photo and an optical zoom, providing clearer and more detailed images compared to drones with digital zoom. With two cameras on board, it allows for closer shots without getting closer to the building. Additionally, the drone offers software updates and improved geofencing features, enhancing its overall functionality.

In 2023, we completed over 1,700 projects totaling more than 130 million square feet for hundreds of clients and thousands of project stakeholders. Some of our high-profile work includes projects at world-renowned institutions like Williams College and Yale, repeat work at the New York Stock Exchange, and projects for the top architects, developers, and building industry professionals in the country.

TOLEDO, OHIO, U.S. [July 31, 2024] – Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, LLC (GPRS), announced that it has acquired Existing Conditions, a leading provider of reality capture, 3D laser scanning, and drone imagery services for professionals in the building industry.

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