Precision at Scale: Documenting the 5,800 Sq. Ft. Coral Gables Waterfront Estate

Project Spotlight: Residence in Coral Gables, Florida

The Challenge: Architectural Complexity in a Tropical Landscape

Coral Gables, known as "The City Beautiful," is home to some of the most sophisticated residential architecture in Florida. The Residence in Coral Gables Project presented a formidable challenge for the documentation phase: a 5,818 sq. ft. waterfront property characterized by sprawling indoor-outdoor transitions and dense tropical foliage.

For the project designer, Andrea Ghouzi of Berenblum Busch Architects, the primary pain point was the home’s non-linear geometry and the need for a perfectly synchronized digital twin to support a high-stakes renovation. Traditional hand-measuring in this environment is not only labor-intensive but dangerously inaccurate. In large luxury estates, a measurement error of just 1% can compound into a multi-inch discrepancy across the floor plan, leading to custom millwork that doesn't fit and HVAC systems that clash with structural beams.

The ADS Solution: Matterport Pro3 & Terrestrial LiDAR Hybrid Capture

To capture this level of detail, AS-BUILT DRAWING SERVICES (A DCMS Network Company) deployed a hybrid capture strategy. We utilized the Matterport Pro3 LiDAR camera for rapid, high-density interior and exterior coverage, providing the "visual truth" of the space. This was supplemented by terrestrial LiDAR to establish a survey-grade structural skeleton.

One of the most significant technical hurdles was the property's dense vegetation. Landscapes in Coral Gables often feature heavy palm coverage and vines that can obscure the building’s envelope. Our technicians mitigated this by utilizing multiple adjusted scan angles and high-viewpoint scan positions to "see through" the greenery, ensuring that the exterior walls and roofline were documented with millimeter precision.

Deliverables: From High-Density Point Clouds to LOD 300 Revit Models

The raw data was processed into a suite of high-value deliverables that served as the "Single Source of Truth" for the entire design team:

• LOD 300 Revit Model: We developed a Building Information Model (BIM) where structural and architectural elements are modeled with precise dimensions, locations, and orientations. This is the gold standard for BIM services, allowing architects to design with absolute confidence.

• High-Density Point Cloud: This raw dataset provides a 1:1 digital replica of the property, serving as an immutable reference for every architectural detail.

• Virtual Walkthrough: By providing a cloud-based digital twin, we enabled remote collaboration, allowing the team to perform site "walkthroughs" from their office, significantly reducing the need for site visits.

The Outcome: Fast, Accurate, and Exactly What We Needed

The project was executed between February 10th and 24th, 2022. By delivering the documentation early and with verified accuracy, ADS allowed Berenblum Busch Architects to move immediately into the design phase without the fear of "hidden" site conditions.

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