Zero physical contact
Full survey completed using non contact laser scanning only
Heritage · Sint-Truiden, Belgium
Non contact laser scanning a thirteenth century belfry for restoration planning
The Belfry of Sint-Truiden, a medieval tower combining Gothic and Romanesque architecture dating back to the thirteenth century, needed an accurate measured record to support restoration planning, without any physical contact with fabric too fragile and historically significant to touch.
Project facts
Scope, software and timeline at a glanceLocationSint-Truiden, Belgium
SectorHeritage and culture
ScopeArchitectural heritage scan to BIM
Level of developmentLOD 300
SoftwareAutodesk ReCap, ReCap Pro, Revit
BuiltThirteenth century, Gothic and Romanesque
Survey methodNon contact laser scanning
Delivery time6 weeks
Project overview
Measuring an eight hundred year old tower without touching it
The Belfry of Sint-Truiden, a medieval tower combining Gothic and Romanesque architecture dating back to the thirteenth century, needed an accurate measured record to support restoration planning, but its age and condition meant the survey had to be carried out without any physical contact with the historic fabric.
We captured the belfry entirely through non contact laser scanning, registering the data in ReCap and ReCap Pro before modeling the tower masonry, window tracery and structural geometry in Revit, giving the restoration team a precise measured record without a single point of physical contact with the building.
The tower mix of Gothic and Romanesque detailing across eight centuries of construction and alteration meant no two levels shared quite the same geometry, and the point cloud gave the restoration architects an honest record of exactly how the structure had settled and changed over time.
This project was delivered through our heritage BIM modeling and point cloud registration services. See more heritage and culture work on our industry page.
Project gallery
A closer look at the Belfry of Sint-Truiden project
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Inputs and deliverables
What we received and what we handed back
A clear record of the data that came in and the files that went out.
Project inputs
- Non contact laser scan data registered in ReCap and ReCap Pro
- Limited historical records spanning the tower multiple construction phases
- Restoration team condition assessment priorities
- Access constraints due to the tower protected historic status
Deliverables
- Architectural Revit model of the belfry at LOD 300
- Registered point cloud archive for the restoration record
- Measured elevation drawings noting geometric irregularities by level
- Condition reference model to support the restoration specification
- Baseline record for future structural monitoring
Key outcomes
Eight centuries of construction captured in one model
6 weeks delivery
From registered point cloud to a restoration ready model
13th century origins
Gothic and Romanesque geometry mapped level by level
Business impact
A restoration plan built on measured fact, not assumption
Restoration planners now have a precise, non invasive record of a structure too fragile and historically significant to survey by conventional means, giving them a factual baseline to prioritise repair work and monitor the tower condition over time.
A protected medieval structure surveyed with zero physical contact
Eight centuries of structural change captured as measured fact
Baseline record established for ongoing condition monitoring
“For a building this old and this protected, not being able to touch it was the whole challenge. They solved it.”
PVP. Van DammeRestoration Architect, Heritage Authority
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