The Design Journey Begins || The Great Library Episode 2

June 12, 2023 Hannah Finch

The team faces their first challenges, as they set-out to reimagine an ancient landmark into a modern facility...

In episode 2 of The Great Library, the team leverages 3D scanning and digital modeling to kick off the design phase. They face some major hurdles, including creating a hyper-detailed model of Turkey’s Library of Celsus in just two days.

Once the point cloud is complete, the scan team quickly shares it with the Los Angeles based architects, Smith-Clementi, and we watch they work their magic and begin creating a beautiful vision of how the landmark could look in the 21st century. 
Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of construction innovation and push the boundaries of what's possible!


Here’s a bit more about what you’ll discover in Episode 2: 

Ancient roots, modern approach
Watch this section [2:31]


The team collaborates to catalyze change, by showing how planning and collaboration are tremendously simpler with a bit of help from technology. 

Utilizing state-of-the-art laser scanning technology, the field team captures millions of data points to create a highly precise and detailed representation of the library. This method far surpasses the traditional approach of singular measurements and manual drawings. Read more about how long it took, the equipment they used, and the challenges they faced in this in-depth article.  

This digital representation of the existing library and its surroundings becomes the foundation for the connected construction project. The architects, based on the other side of the world, can now access this virtual site, enabling them to commence work without physically visiting the location.

Hop in the time machine: Exploring ancient Roman civil engineering
Watch this section [4:14]


While the scanning team created the point cloud, Matt takes the opportunity to discuss the importance of civil engineering in ancient cities with local archaeologists.

The planning, design, and engineering built into those ancient drawings to construct cities like Ephesus parallel the principles applied in modern construction. Turns out, there are many lessons that we can learn from ancient Roman construction. Discover more about the connections between Roman and modern construction here

Spot the Dog: Scan’s best friend
Watch this section [6:10]

Innovations like Spot, a robot dog equipped with a laser scanner, are transforming the scanning process in large-scale and remote locations. Spot can carry out scanning missions in dangerous or confined areas, providing invaluable data without risking human safety. This technology opens up new possibilities for capturing data in challenging environments.

Connected construction in action at ocV!BE
Watch this section [9:38]


Julie and Frank, architects from Smith-Clementi, share their experience working on the ocV!BE project, which incorporates connected construction techniques. They explain how the use of a shared digital model and real-time collaboration among engineers, contractors, and designers significantly improves efficiency, saves time and money, and enables rapid problem-solving. 

Previewing the architect's vision
Watch this section [11:52]

This episode wraps as Julie and Frank share their vision with the project owner, Matt. They share the influences that inspired their design and the goals of their creative vision. 

What's next?

With a diverse team of experts, including architects, engineers, and contractors, we're showing how it's possible to use technology to problem-solve the challenges that usually occur in the field, digitally. By catching issues during the design phase, instead of during construction, you can decrease re-work, improve process times, streamline communication, and keep projects on budget. 

See us put it into action in the next episode, as we share the vision with engineers and MEP professionals to find out if it’s not only gorgeous, but also buildable. Together, we'll refine the design, avoid clashes, and create a plan for a smooth construction process. Stay tuned!

If you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe to make sure you hear when the adventure continues in episode 3!

About the Author

Hannah Finch

Hannah is a Content Creation Specialist for Trimble Construction. She has 10 years of experience in the construction industry, with a particular passion for green, resilient, equitable construction. Along the way, she’s worked with energy efficiency assessors, custom home builders, architects, and lean building specialists.

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