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 centre. As part of these studies, accurate 3D documentation is essential to evaluate the structure's condition and potential. Our team was tasked with the detailed digitization of the cupola crowning one of the main buildings, a key architectural feature and heritage emblem of the site.
Proposition
To create a high-precision digital twin of the cupola, we combined the strengths of the terrestrial LiDAR scanner and of photogrammetry. This hybrid approach made it possible to capture both the structural precision and the architectural richness of monument, merging them into a single point cloud and an exceptionally accurate 3D mesh model.
LiDAR scanning
The LiDAR survey provided the geometric foundation of the project, establishing the exact scale, shape and spatial context. It served as a reference to ensure the absolute accuracy while compensating for areas that could not be fully captured through imaging alone.
Drone photogrammetry
Using hundreds of high-resolution images, photogrammetry revealed the finest details of the cupola, from the subtle textures of its surface to the delicate marks left by time. This technique perfectly complemented the LiDAR data, adding depth, realism and artistry to the digital reconstruction.
Deliverables
Pour se rapprocher le plus possible à la réalité, le nuage de points généré a été colorié et fixé à une densité de 5mm d'intervalle, permettant un produit final clair. Ces précisions ont permis de surligner toutes les déviations lorsque nous avons créé les analyses de déformations de planchers.
Nous avons également généré un nuage de points complet, y compris dans les zones difficiles à atteindre, telles que les espaces entre les parties de la structure. Cette approche a permis d'éliminer les angles morts et de garantir une couverture totale de l'édifice.
