Svenska Mätcenter AB's Indoor Solution business area has secured the prestigious assignment to survey Örebro Castle in central Sweden and to render a 3D model of the structure. The National Swedish Property Board is updating the drawings of its property holdings, Örebro Castle among them.

Svenska Mätcenter AB won the assignment to conduct the survey and produce drawings and models as the result of a bidding process. Örebro Castle has a total floor area of approximately 11,000 square metres over six storeys, including the attic.

To meet the demands of the job, Mätcenter is conducting advanced surveying using 3D laser scanning, which allows large areas to be surveyed in three dimensions with great precision and detail.

Half a million points per second!
Among other tools, the scanning process uses a phase scanner that measures as many as 500,000 points per second. The scanner takes measurements in a single 360-degree sweep from floor to ceiling. Measuring objects with 3D laser scanning provides highly precise data that can be used throughout the building process. There are plans to install a lift in the castle to improve access for handicapped people.

"In this case, it will be possible to use the 3D model to see how the lift can be fitted into the actual space. Because the model can be turned, it is possible to view the rooms and spaces of the castle from all imaginable perspectives," says Tomas Strand, project manager at Svenska Mätcenter AB.

Almost 18 weeks of computer processing
"Once the surveying has been completed, the time-consuming process remains of generating a 3D model and plan drawings. We estimate that this will take about 18 weeks," Tomas Strand explains.

The surveying process is further complicated by the fact that the castle houses six tenants and disruption must be kept to a minimum - particularly as one of the tenants is the County Governor. The scanning process began in late January and is being performed by Mätcenter subsidiary Geomark, which is a world leader in indoor scanning.