Cupola - Royal Victoria Hospital
Client / Collaborators
Sector
Location
Services
DMA Architecture
Architecture, Heritage
Montreal
LiDAR and drone survey, Photogrammetry
Mandate
Following McGill University's announcement of feasibility studies for the conversion of the historic Royal Victoria Hospital site, the institution began assessing the technical and heritage challenges associated with transforming this landmark into a new academic center. As part of these studies, accurate 3D documentation is essential to assess the structure's condition and potential. Our team was tasked with the detailed digitization of the dome crowning one of the main buildings, a key architectural element and emblem of the site's heritage.
Proposal
To create a high-precision digital twin of the dome, we combined the strengths of terrestrial LiDAR scanning and photogrammetry. This hybrid approach captured both the structural precision and architectural richness of the monument, merging them into a single point cloud and a 3D mesh model of exceptional accuracy.
LiDAR scanning
The LiDAR survey provided the geometric basis for the project, establishing the exact scale, shape, and spatial context. It served as a reference to ensure absolute accuracy while compensating for areas that could not be fully captured by imagery alone.
Photogrammetry
Using hundreds of high-resolution images, photogrammetry revealed the dome's finest details, from its subtle surface textures to the delicate marks left by time. This technique perfectly complemented the LiDAR data and brought depth, realism, and artistry to the digital reconstruction.
Deliverables
The final product is a millimeter-precise point cloud and 3D mesh, seamlessly merged from both datasets. The result is a model of extraordinary geometric fidelity, enriched with vibrant colors, textures, and material authenticity, offering a true digital reflection of this architectural landmark.
