How Do Land Surveyors Preserve History using Modern Technology?

Nestled in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling CBD, the Melbourne City Baths is more than just an iconic building with over 150 years of history. It stands as a beautiful reminder of the past while functioning as a state-of-the-art facility, housing everything from a swimming pool and sauna to a gym, cycle studio, and squash courts. This unique blend of history and modern utility makes the Baths not only a heritage landmark but also a vital community hub.

With a building as old and significant as the Melbourne City Baths, maintaining it requires more than just regular upkeep—it demands specialised expertise. Enter the world of surveyors and cutting-edge technology.

The Role of Surveyors in Maintaining Heritage Sites

The City of Melbourne recognised the need to preserve this historical gem and ensure it continues to serve future generations. To do so, they turned to AAM Group, a leader in spatial information and surveying technology. AAM Group’s goal? To create a digital twin of the Melbourne City Baths, a virtual model that replicates the building in extreme detail.

Ryan Kent, Business Development Manager with AAM Group, explains:
“The purpose of the project was to produce a digital twin of the Melbourne City Baths to assist with better facilities management. We have a fantastic team of 3D modellers that have produced a valuable, digital asset that will help the City of Melbourne and stakeholders collaborate and make informed decisions regarding the management and future use of the building.”

But what exactly is a digital twin, and how does it help in the upkeep of such a historic structure?

The Power of the Digital Twin

A digital twin is a highly detailed virtual replica of a physical object, in this case, the Melbourne City Baths. Using advanced laser scanning technology, surveyors can capture the entire building with millimetre precision. This process involves scanning millions of data points and high-resolution images, all of which are merged to create a complete, colourised 3D model.

Kent further explains, “To acquire the data, AAM conducted laser scanning throughout every portion of the building to produce an accurate and colourised 3D point cloud.” This point cloud is then transformed into a highly accurate and detailed digital twin.

The digital twin provides a comprehensive view of the building, including areas that may not be easily accessible or visible to the naked eye. This virtual model becomes a powerful tool for understanding the structure’s current state and determining which parts need restoration or repair.

A Blend of History and Innovation

The digital twin of the Melbourne City Baths is more than just a replica—it’s an invaluable resource. For the City of Melbourne, it offers a way to maintain and improve the building without compromising its historical integrity. From identifying sections that need restoration to planning future extensions, the digital twin provides data-driven insights that allow for careful, informed decisions.

This isn’t just a win for the preservation of the Melbourne City Baths. It’s also a glimpse into the future of how heritage buildings can be maintained with modern technology. Surveyors and 3D modellers are bridging the gap between history and innovation, ensuring that our cultural landmarks continue to stand tall for generations to come.

In an era where old meets new, the Melbourne City Baths stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we combine historical appreciation with technological advancement. It’s a project that demonstrates how the past can thrive in the present—and continue to do so in the future.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if more of our historical landmarks were preserved this way? To find out more about how 3D scanning is used to preserve history, read here.