Scan-to-BIM for an equestrian facility in Massachusetts

This project involved creating detailed as-built BIM models of an equestrian facility in Massachusetts, based on point cloud data obtained through laser scanning. The facility included two buildings used for horse housing and training, one of which featured a dedicated indoor training arena.

The main objective was to accurately translate the existing conditions into reliable digital models while preserving the buildings’ geometry, dimensions, structural systems, material composition, and visible irregularities captured in the scan. Special attention was given to deformed roof structures, timber framing, horse stalls, interior details, and the overall relationship between the buildings and the surrounding site.

As a result, ORIGIN delivered two detailed Revit models, complete as-built drawing sets, and material-ready models prepared for further documentation, renovation planning, coordination, and visualization work.

A key challenge was accurately representing the existing roof deformations and the timber structural system beneath it. Because the beams and trusses had visible variations, a simplified approach — such as modeling one typical truss and repeating it across the building — would not have reflected the real conditions.

ORIGIN first reconstructed the roof surface from the point cloud and then modeled the beams and trusses individually. This helped keep the timber frame aligned with the actual geometry, avoid incorrect intersections, and provide a coherent as-built representation of the roof structure.

ORIGIN modeled walls and related building elements as layered assemblies, including structural composition, finish layers, and accurate material thicknesses. This helped represent not only the visible geometry, but also the way the building components were constructed.

Where structural elements were exposed — such as timber framing, plywood ceilings, and other visible components — the model included a higher level of detail to reflect the actual construction conditions captured in the point cloud.

The interior model was developed with particular attention to the horse stalls and training-related spaces. These areas included non-standard stall doors, enclosures, and decorative details that had to be custom-modeled to match the point cloud data.

ORIGIN also recreated important functional elements, including door opening mechanisms and visible lighting fixtures. This provided the client with a detailed as-built representation of the interior, suitable for further renovation planning, coordination, and visualization.

In the final stage, ORIGIN applied materials across the model to reflect the buildings’ existing colors, textures, and surface conditions. Landscape elements were also placed around the site according to their actual locations, helping represent the facility within its real surrounding context.

Using Enscape, the team assigned visualization-ready textures to the prepared Revit material system. This created an organized material library and made the model ready for efficient rendering, presentation, and future visual updates.