The Importance of Point Cloud Models for Hotel Renovations

Posted by Kuldeep Bwail on June 29th, 2021

Hotels can make or break a holiday. Leaky faucets, faulty lights or a dead radiator at that quaint and charming hotel you had excitedly selected are unwanted memories that mar the vacation experience and ruin your reputation for life as the designated holiday planner. At some point, every hotel needs a certain degree of renovation, and smart renovation needs careful planning. As BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology has now become an invaluable tool for building construction worldwide, BIM modelling services, including point cloud to BIM services, are being increasingly utilised for hotel renovations.

What are point clouds and how do they connect with BIM services?

They are described as large groups of points, or datasets, that represent a space or an object. Each recorded point of a surface has geometric coordinates, so a point cloud groups a considerably large number of points or single spatial measurements into a dataset. Adding details of colour to the 3D coordinates makes the point cloud 4D.

These clouds are formed using 3D laser scanners and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, where each point represents a single laser scan measurement. A large number of different scans are integrated together using in a process known as ‘registration’ to capture a scene.

What makes them nice? They are:  

•   Easy to edit
•   Easy to display
•   Easy to filter
•   Easy to store with large amounts of data
•   Non-intrusive
•   Provide precise and detailed measurements

A computer needs only to know their position and maybe their colours, and hotels don't have to be shut down in order to be measured, as they are non-intrusive.

Point clouds of high definition can be converted to Revit scans, which can help project stakeholders make informed decisions and assess the project’s progress. So, whether you are an architect, engineer, general contractor or owner, the process of converting scanned point clouds to a BIM environment, or Scan to BIM, can help effectively model hotel renovations.

Scan to BIM models play a vital role in renovation projects where original architectural drawings/records drawings and measurements are unavailable, incorrect, incomplete or not updated. Point clouds can then be converted to information-rich 3D BIM models.

So, how do they help in hotel renovations?

These point cloud to BIM models are highly detailed and accurate, helping to monitor and audit hotel renovations.

Renovating a hotel is typically motivated by aesthetics and tends to overlook essential factors. The existing design must be assessed for functionality, and then, the owner must clearly communicate concepts to architects, engineers and interior designers. However, effective renovation can make it stand out from the competition. The concept and how it is defined can affect the hotel’s design identity and its facilities, which is a careful consideration for the architects.

It can be a challenging process, requiring significant investment and time, but it can also be creative and enjoyable, resulting in greater profits. This is why the entire renovation process must have an integrated plan, with clearly defined procedures that can save time and money.

Renovation Challenges of Hotels

• Current hotel operations of running facilities need to continue to function so that guests and hotel staff are least disturbed.
• Damage to complex architecture of historical buildings that have been converted to hotels must be avoided.
• Multiple site visits for dimensions and layout assessment are time-consuming, can be costly and can drain resources.
• The flow of staff traffic in a hotel is particularly important. Renovation must keep ease of service in mind, among other factors.

Using point clouds for Scan to BIM models rather than conventional methods provides several benefits.

Benefits of Point Cloud Models for Renovation  

• Fast Surveys - Point cloud data generated by a scan is all that is required. Additional visits for more data are not required, as all the required data is gathered in one go.  

• Accurate Measurements - With millions of point clouds captured through laser scanners, 3D surface models can be created with an accuracy of +/- 10mm, helping all project stakeholders make informed decisions with precise 2D or 3D models. Lidar point cloud scans are known to be highly accurate and can assure that the right coordinates are taken.  

• Precise Dimensions - Point cloud scans measure dimensions with high accuracy, helps understand the spatial relations of various hotel spaces.  

• Improved Information Accessibility - Point cloud processing delivers fast, accurate, reliable and affordable point cloud registrations and 3D BIM models of the existing hotel structure, which leads to a project environment where stakeholders can collaborate, access and share project data for renovations. The RFI and work delays are reduced.  

• Fast Project Turnaround - Point cloud data can be shared and information-rich BIM models prevent delays and extra expenses. The BIM models created from point cloud scans contain a wealth of information, even including colours and building reflections, helping architects and engineers estimate material types, schedules and costs accurately. As point clouds are easy to integrate, model and assess, it reduces the need for RFIs and saves costs.  

• Improved Visualisation - It is easy to generate data-rich images of a hotel with Scan to BIM models. These 3D models enable stakeholders to visualise, identify and resolve clashes. They can also discuss and visualise modifications in the hotel’s renovation. High-quality 3D renders can be used to create impressive presentations for travel agents and online use on the main hotel website and social media platforms to market the hotel’s updated design.

It’s easy to see that using point cloud to BIM services for hotel renovations can result in a range of benefits, making the adoption of this process very important to the future of the hotel. With the right BIM modelling services partner, this method can result in considerable savings in time and costs. Experienced partners will be able to even deliver BIM 4D modelling services to help effectively market the hotel property.

XS CAD has valuable experience providing BIM modelling services and point cloud to BIM services for general contractors and consultants. Our range of services for consultants and contractors across the world include Scan to BIM services for heritage buildings and other existing buildings. We create these models and drawings by using Revit, AutoCAD and BIM Collaborate Pro (formerly known as BIM 360 Design) for cloud collaboration.