Case Study: Riverside Labs

Discover how Shawmut Design and Construction partnered with Existing Conditions to receive comprehensive documentation of Riverside Labs, as it transitions from an office building to tenant-ready lab space. Utilizing 3D laser scanning and BIM modeling services, Existing Conditions delivered the accurate as-built data needed to transform the site into a cutting-edge life science campus—on time and with confidence.

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About Riverside Labs

The renovation of Riverside Labs in Weston, MA, is being designed by Greatland Realty Partners and Rockwood Capital with the goal of being a premier destination for life science companies. Located at the intersection of Interstates 90 and 95, it’s a short drive from both Boston and Cambridge. The campus spans 340,000 square feet on a 16-acre plot.  

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Riverside Labs served as the headquarters of Liberty Mutual. The building functioned primarily as office space until the transition into a life sciences campus began. There are three buildings at Riverside Labs: 9 Riverside, 15 Riverside, and 20 Riverside.

The Life Science campus is being developed in phases. Phase One provided 90,000 square feet of tenant-ready lab space and Phase Two added 120,000 square feet of advanced lab and office space, including covered parking and a new café.

“Riverside Labs offers innovative life sciences companies with state-of the-art office and lab space in an extremely desirable location. At a time when attracting and retaining talent is key, Riverside Labs is an asset to emerging and established life sciences companies,” said Kevin Sheehan and Philip Dorman, founders of Greatland Realty Partners. “We appreciate the collaboration of the many partners involved in moving Phase Two of this project forward.”

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Partnering with Shawmut Design and Construction

Shawmut selected Existing Conditions as their reality capture partner for the projects at 9 Riverside, 15 Riverside, and 20 Riverside. In March 2022, Existing Conditions was selected to document the building exterior of 20 Riverside Road, followed by a second engagement in June 2022 to capture the building’s interior.

As stated by Joseph Lombardi, Senior Superintendent at Shawmut Design and Construction, “When considering what matters most in choosing a partner for this kind of work, it's clear that competitive pricing played a key role in our decision to work with you. Existing Conditions pricing not only fit within budget but also proved to be more competitive than other 3D laser scanning companies we've engaged with in the past. This, combined with the accuracy and reliability of the existing conditions model, set Existing Conditions apart as our preferred choice.”

Scope of Work

20 Riverside is undergoing a conversion from traditional office space to a mixed-use facility, with 60% designated for lab use and 40% for office use. The building is being designed to support multiple tenants. Shawmut is aligning the project with LEED, WELL, and WIRED certification standards to ensure high performance, sustainability, and connectivity.

Riverside Labs had a basic set of 2D CAD drawings from the original design plans, but they were unsure if they reflected the modifications and deviations made during the initial construction process. The project lacked a detailed 3D Revit model, particularly for core and shell components.

Existing Conditions partnered with Shawmut Design and Construction to perform 3D laser scanning of the site, producing accurate as-built drawings and a 3D BIM model to support renovation planning, particularly for MEP system coordination and structural layout verification.

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Pre-Demolition Scanning of Riverside Labs

In August 2021, Gensler engaged Existing Conditions to document the core and shell of 20 Riverside Road before demolition and prior to Shawmut’s involvement. The team scanned the building’s exterior and identified key common areas to support early design planning. Field work took place in October and November 2021. Existing Conditions used the Leica RTC360 to capture interior spaces and the Leica ScanStation P50 to scan the perimeter and align survey control across 20 and 9 Riverside Road. The team also deployed drones to survey the full campus, including both buildings, parking lots, and the surrounding Interstate 95 and Pike 90 highway interchange.

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Post-Demolition Scanning of Riverside Labs

In April 2022, Existing Conditions began interior documentation at 20 Riverside Road, followed by fieldwork at 9 Riverside Road in August. The team operated on a flexible schedule, mobilizing with approximately one week’s notice as each floor became ready after demolition. This allowed precise coordination with the client’s timeline. For each mobilization, the team used the Leica P50 ScanStation to establish control and the Leica RTC360 to scan the interior floors.

After each scan, the team processed and delivered 3D BIM models floor by floor, enabling the client to begin coordination and construction without waiting for full-building documentation. This phased delivery approach supported uninterrupted progress and helped the client maintain momentum throughout the renovation. Existing Conditions completed 3D laser scanning and BIM modeling on November 2, 2022.

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The Challenge

Gensler faced a major challenge at Riverside Labs due to the lack of accurate digital as-built documentation. The project began with only basic 2D CAD drawings and no detailed 3D Revit model for the core and shell. Existing Conditions was tasked with producing precise as-built drawings and a 3D BIM model to support renovation and construction, with a focus on MEP systems and structural alignment.

As demolition advanced and Shawmut assumed project leadership, the focus shifted to verifying exposed MEP systems and structural elements designated for retention by the client.

Shawmut had limited documentation and no existing model. The architecture team created a preliminary 3D model using available drawings, but it lacked the accuracy required for MEP coordination and steel design. Shawmut relied on Existing Conditions to capture and integrate all critical elements, such as roof drain piping and structural steel, into a comprehensive model to support precise coordination.

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The Solution

Shawmut relied on Existing Conditions to document exposed structural and MEP elements after demolition. This was a critical step that ensured accurate integration of new systems and eliminated potential clashes during construction. The team used 3D virtual walkthroughs to identify features not included in the original scope, such as floor irregularities and existing furniture layouts, which improved material estimates and design accuracy.

During construction, the team documented MEP installations before wall and ceiling closure, capturing precise locations of pipes, valves, and switches. The NavVis VLX enabled full-site mobile mapping with one-day processing, producing a digital twin that supported facility management with accurate spatial data and asset tracking.

After demolition, Existing Conditions scanned preserved elements such as structural columns, roof drain piping, and heaters. These scans allowed the team to integrate all structural components into a 3D BIM model. This proved invaluable as it revealed many items present in the existing conditions scan and model that were absent from the architectural drawings. Shawmut confirmed that the model provided accurate floor-to-floor dimensions and beam sizing, which enhanced steel and MEP subcontractor coordination.

According to Shawmut’s project lead, the phased model delivery allowed immediate use of each scanned section. The team maintained pace with demolition, scanning each floor as it became available. This approach provided Shawmut with a level of responsiveness and accuracy not available from other providers.

The steel detailer used the Revit model as a foundation for 3D steel detailing, ensuring that all fabricated components matched the verified as-built geometry. This process significantly improved mechanical coordination, reduced rework, and supported efficient installation of steel elements on-site.

According to Lombardi, “The service provided was exceptional, and the team demonstrated remarkable flexibility. They accommodated our needs by conducting multiple visits to scan the entire building comprehensively. As our demolition team worked through each floor, your operations team was adept at keeping pace, ready to scan the newly prepared areas. What set this service apart was the phased release of models; as soon as a section was scanned and modeled, we received a partial model to work with. This unique offering, not readily available from competitors, was immensely valuable and greatly appreciated.”

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How This Project Was Unique

The project required full-cycle documentation before and after demolition. Existing Conditions worked with Gensler to produce accurate as-built drawings, resolving the lack of digital documentation and enabling informed design decisions. After demolition, the team verified and modeled exposed MEP systems and structural components to support Shawmut’s coordination efforts.

This two-phase approach ensured continuity and accuracy throughout the project. Shawmut used the updated 3D BIM model to identify discrepancies in the architectural model and improve coordination with subcontractors. The model included precise floor-to-floor dimensions and structural details, which enhanced planning and reduced risk.

Lombardi stated, “Existing Conditions has proven to be one of the top 3D laser scanning companies we've collaborated with, especially evident through our project at Riverside Labs. This positive experience led us to partner with them again for a more extensive and complex project at Harvard University. Their performance at Riverside Labs was a key factor in our decision to work with them at Harvard, to the extent that we did not seek quotes from any other 3D laser scanning companies. We directly chose them for our bid.”

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Where Does This Project Stand Now?

Shawmut Design and Construction successfully integrated their project model with the steel detailer's files by using the 3D Revit model provided by Existing Conditions. This integration allowed Shawmut to align structural steel components precisely with the building’s actual conditions, which were captured through 3D laser scanning.

According to Bldup, the first phase of Riverside Labs delivered 90,000 square feet of tenant-ready lab space in the Fall of 2023. ModeX Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biotech company developing multi-specific biologics for cancer and infectious disease treatment, currently occupies 33,000 square feet of that space. The full renovation is scheduled to be completed in summer 2025.

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About the Client Shawmut Design and Construction

Shawmut Design and Construction is a $1.6 billion national construction management firm with a reputation for completing extraordinarily complex and logistically challenging projects. As a 100% employee-owned company, Shawmut has created a culture of ownership, proactive solution-making, and forward-thinking. Over eighty percent of its business comes from repeat clients, with a strong focus on building lasting partnerships. Shawmut has 10 offices, including Boston, Providence, Worcester, New Haven, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami.

Joseph Lombardi is a Senior Superintendent with Shawmut Design and Construction. Joseph enjoys using all the current technology available to assist with his day-to-day workflow and is an expert user of Bluebeam Revu and an avid user of CAD. Joseph has worked closely with Autodesk and their BIM 360 Field platform for QA/QC and coordination on large projects. All of Joseph’s document control is digital, including updating his drawing sets. Always having the most current information available on his iPad saves time in the field, and having the drawings at Joseph’s fingertips helps maintain a high level of quality on his job sites.

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Existing Conditions 3D Laser Scanning Services

Over the past 27 years, Existing Conditions has documented over 10,000 buildings totaling more than 700 million square feet across the United States. Clients rely on our team for precise digital representations of existing conditions, delivered efficiently and accurately. Our Project Managers execute 3D laser scanning and drone surveys, while our CAD and BIM technicians produce tailored deliverables, including point clouds, 2D drawings, 3D BIM models and 3D mesh models, TruViews, and virtual tours, supporting informed decision-making across architecture, engineering, and construction workflows.

Ready to get started on your next design, engineering or construction project? Contact Existing Conditions today to receive precise digital documentation of your building.