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Historical
Documentation
A new way to preserve our heritage
Our past is something to cherish and worth protecting. ARC provides knowledge and technical expertise to help document and preserve places of significant cultural and architectural value.
We utilize tools such as advanced photo imagery, photogrammetry and 3D laser scanners to provide an accurate historical record of structures.
Whether the documentation will serve to meet the needs of HABS (Historic American Buildings Survey) requirement, or perhaps to aide in the creation of an HBIM (Historic Building Information Model), ARC’s heritage documentation helps provide an accurate record of what exists and preserves and protects our collective past.
Benefits of Historical Documentation
Methods of Preserving a Historical Structure
Preservation
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Preservation involves keeping any historical elements, components and artifacts in place in order to maintain how it currently exists.
Restoration
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Restoration involves restoring a building to how it existed at a specific point in time.
Reconstruction
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Reconstruction seeks to replace or re-create structures and / or elements that were damaged or lost. These can be reverse engineered from photographs and laser scans.
Rehabilitation
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Rehabilitation involves altering or adding to a property to maintain its current use, but still preserve and respect its historic nature.
Being that we had no drawings whatsoever for the pre-19th century structure, your ability to quickly and accurately document the building façade and plans was the most efficient and cost effective solution for us.
- Lawrence C.
ARC has always provided me with the straight-forward, objective answers and takes the time to thoroughly answer all of my questions. I highly recommend ARC to provide documentation services."
- Peggy Y.
More often than not, we can start faster than you can authorize us.
We pride ourselves in providing innovative solutions,
rapid response, high quality products and service, on time.
However, don't take our word for it.
U.S. Institute of Building Documentation/LOA Certified
Staff at ARC is LOA (Level of Accuracy) certified by the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation. The LOA standards were created by the USIBD as a guide for reality capture professionals within the AEC industry.
LOA certified individuals have demonstrated their understanding of the USIBD's LOA specification and how to apply its principles to ensure accuracy and precision in the measurement process.
To us, every square foot matters. That's why our professional employees are trained to follow these standards when working on projects—so you can know that your deliverables are always accurate.
Quick Questions
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What makes ARC different from other scan to BIM companies?ARC is made up of a team of licensed architects and highly-qualified technicians who know first-hand how important accuracy is for any building project. Unlike many other scan to BIM companies, ARC was an early adopter of 3D laser scanning and the scan to BIM process, innovating scan to BIM workflows before laser scan data could even be brought into BIM.
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Why should I choose ARC for scan to BIM services?Our highly-experienced team can produce a scan to BIM model quickly, accurately, and to spec that will be invaluable to your project whether you are planning, designing, building, or managing operations.
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How do you go about 3D scanning buildings with safety hazards and limit access?This technology was made for 3D laser scanning buildings, worksites and other areas that are unsafe for human surveyors. We offer a range of scanners, cameras, and other mapping technology that prioritizes worksite safety.
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How can I get a 3D building scan of my site?Using the best laser scanning technology, ARC will scan your site in its as-built condition to create a 3D building scan, giving you the most accurate building model for your project.
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Who can benefit from using a 3D laser scan in architecture? I found some old blueprint record drawings—isn't this enough?Old blueprints and record drawings can help with initial planning, but nothing will give you the full picture like a 3D scan. Architecture firms, building site managers, clients, contractors, and designers will be able to budget and plan better with the accurate and validated information that only a 3D laser scan as-built can provide.
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How does laser scanning benefit historical building documentation?Laser scanning provides accurate, hands-free building documentation that promotes the preservation of historical buildings without invasive or damaging techniques. The resulting data can create a precise record of a building’s specifications whether for renovation or historical registration.
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What other building documentation services do you offer?ARC is a full-service building documentation company. Our services include photo imagery, photogrammetry, and laser scanning that can fulfill historical survey requirements, create a working HBIM, or support a petition of historical registration.
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How accurate are ARC's measurements?ARC utilizes the latest laser technologies and best practice workflows to perform its measurements. The manufacturer’s specifications for the most common laser scanners we use quote an accuracy of 2mm at 10m. Generally, the higher the accuracy requirements the higher the cost. ARC utilizes the U.S. Institute of Building Documentation Level of Accuracy (LOA) Specification. The two most commonly prescribed LOA’s are LOA20 and LOA30. The respective tolerance ranges for these LOAs are 5/8” to 2” and ¼” to 5/8”.
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Is there a limit to where ARC is willing to travel to survey my building?ARC provides on-site as-built services anywhere in the United States and can offer referrals to providers who are able to perform work internationally.
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How much does it cost to scan my building?There are a number of factors that go into determining the cost to laser scan and document a building. First, we must determine the intent of what you are trying to accomplish with the scan. We then need to understand what type of building it is, how complex the building’s layout is and are there any operational constraints to operating within the space to be documented. Finally, we need to know what type of deliverables are needed (2D, 3D, CAD, BIM, point cloud, etc.).
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How fast can you start work?More often than not, we can have our team on site faster than you can authorize us and coordinate access. While this isn’t always the case, it happens quite often.
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What is the difference between a measured accuracy and a represented accuracy?Measured accuracy refers to the overall accuracy of a comprehensive set of measurements. This accuracy accounts for instrument error, operator error, error in measuring technique, random error and least count error. For laser scanning we often consider the accuracy of a registered point cloud the measured accuracy. To then take a point cloud and represent those measured points as either CAD line work or modeled elements in a BIM more error will be introduced. The accuracy of the represented lines or model elements is considered to be the represented accuracy.
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How long will it take to provide me an as-built of my building?This will vary depending on how quickly we can gain access to the space, what the size and complexity of the space is, are there any operational constraints and what the end deliverables are.
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What methods does the provider use to communicate?ARC responds to all emails and phone calls within 24 hours. We also use Zoom and Microsoft Teams to hold virtual meetings.
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What methods does the provider use to ensure quality?For our various types of services, we have developed our own QA-QC (Quality Analysis Quality Control) method of checking all our work to ensure that you have the most accurate deliverable.
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Is the provider from another country? Do they understand your culture, customs, and building codes? Are they fluent in your language?We are based in Southern California in the United States. We communicate using the English language and are well educated to understand American building codes. Certain staff at ARC are fluent in both English and Spanish.
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Are the services provided comprehensive or will you need multiple partners?10 services, 1 client. View our Services to see how we make life easier for you.
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What commitments is the provider willing to make regarding customer service?View our company's About page to see how we handle customer service.
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Is the provider an expert in their field?View our About page to see information on our expertise.
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Is the provider in or adjacent to your time zones?We are in the Pacific time zone.
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How well does the provider's operation scale in peak demand situations?Half of our staff has been with ARC for 10+ years. Our professionals are more than qualified to take on your projects during demanding situations.
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Is the provider financially stable? Will they be in business when you need them to deliver on time?ARC has continued to grow its income and client network every single year since 1997. For 25 years we have developed our company into one that helps others to build itself.
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Do license architects oversee operations?We have two senior level licensed Architects who oversee all operations.
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Does the provider have experience working on your project type; and can the firm provide references to illustrate relevant project experience?Before you hire ARC, we send you an SOQ with our qualifications, which includes examples of other projects we have completed similar to yours. We do this to demonstrate our abilities.
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