Residential | Commerical | Industrial
LOCATION:
Radcliffe Quadrangle / Harvard University, Cambridge MA
Headline
Radcliffe Yard, Harvard University – Comprehensive 3D Laser Scanning & BIM Modeling
Project Overview
At the heart of Harvard University’s historic Radcliffe Yard campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our team at Pointknown was commissioned by the architectural firm ARC to deliver full-existing-conditions documentation across several key buildings: Cabot House, Holmes Hall, Bertram Hall, and Eliot Hall.
Challenge
The client required high-fidelity Revit/BIM models to support upcoming renovation and adaptive reuse work on these early 20th-century structures. Traditional field-measurement methods posed risks of inaccuracy, extended timelines and cost-drift amid active campus operations.
Solution
We executed a hybrid reality-capture workflow:
Terrestrial laser scanning with Faro Focus + handheld/SLAM units
Mobile LiDAR mapping and targeted drone photogrammetry to capture rooftops and facades
Registration of point-clouds, integration of existing CAD drawings, and model build-out in Revit
Deliverables
Full‐scale Revit models for Cabot House (exterior + select interiors) and supplemental interior/exterior models for Holmes Hall, Bertram Hall, and Eliot Hall
Linked point-cloud and photo dataset for verification and QA
2D CAD exports and interior elevation sheets for downstream use
Results & Benefits
Delivered a single source of truth: unified 3D model aligned to campus coordinate system, reducing need for re-measurements or repeat site visits
Enabled design and construction teams to move rapidly into schematic and detailed design phases, confident in as-built accuracy
Enhanced long-term facility documentation for Harvard’s historic portfolio, supporting maintenance, renovation, and digital-asset management
Technology Spotlight
Tools used: Faro Focus, GeoSLAM mobile scanners, tripod & handheld laser range-finders, DJI Mavic / Mini drones, Autodesk ReCap, Autodesk Revit, CloudCompare, Pix4D, GoPro MAX & GoPro Player
About Pointknown
Pointknown specializes in reality capture, laser scanning, mobile LiDAR and drone‐based mapping for existing building documentation, historic campuses and complex infrastructure. From interior point clouds to fully populated BIM models, we deliver the digital backbone your architects, engineers and contractors need to start strong.
Ready to get started?
If you’re embarking on a renovation or adaptive-reuse project—especially on a challenging site or historic structure—get in touch with us to discuss how accurate data can transform your design and construction outcomes.