Suffield Academy

Case Study: Suffield Academy

Suffield Academy required accurate, detailed 3D data of existing buildings, terrain, and infrastructure to create a new campus master plan. Centerbrook Architects partnered with Existing Conditions to document the current state of the facilities so they could identify areas for improvement and develop a phased approach to renovations that supported the overall vision for the campus. Existing Conditions provided 3D laser scanning services for eight buildings across the East, West, and Core Campuses and delivered 3D Revit models and 2D CAD drawings to support architectural planning and facilities management.

Campus Master Plans for Renovation Required 3D Laser Scanning

In summer 2022, Suffield Academy’s Director of Facilities, Phil Syr, partnered with Jim Coan, Senior Director at Centerbrook Architects, to update the school’s master plan.

Centerbrook Architects had previously worked on two master plans for the school, the first in 2003 that focused on renewing athletic facilities, and the second in 2013 that addressed academic, residential, and administrative buildings on the central campus.

To identify areas for campus improvement in the 2022 master plan, Syr requested that Centerbrook Architects deliver as-built documentation for the interior and exterior of eight campus buildings. The buildings included the Tisch Field House, Perry Gymnasium, Tremaine Arts Center, Spencer Hall, Fuller Hall, Jeanice Seaverns Performing Arts Center, Williams Performing Arts Studio, and Guttag Music Center.

Centerbrook Architects partnered with Existing Conditions to ensure their academic renovation project was built on a foundation of accuracy and clarity. Leveraging our expertise in 3D laser scanning for educational institutions, we delivered precise as-built documentation for each building, prioritized to meet the client’s timeline and goals. Throughout the process, we maintained transparent communication with the project team to ensure alignment and efficiency. The high-quality point clouds and models we provided played a vital role in supporting the renovations outlined in the 2022 master plan.

Existing Conditions data helped Centerbrook Architects understand the current as-built conditions with precision, enabling better design decisions, clash detection, and integration with future developments. It also streamlined collaboration across teams by creating a digital twin of the campus, which was used for visualization, simulation, and long-term facility management.

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Partnering with Centerbrook Architects and Suffield Academy

Jim Coan of Centerbrook Architects met with Existing Conditions in July 2022 to align on the reality capture services and deliverables that would best support Suffield Academy’s master plan. This early collaboration ensured a clear understanding of priorities and helped identify potential challenges before fieldwork began.

Following the meeting, Existing Conditions reviewed aerial imagery and building plans for the eight structures involved. Within a month, Director of Operations Holly Vaillancourt scheduled 3D laser scanning on the campus. The strong partnership between Suffield Academy, Centerbrook Architects, and Existing Conditions laid the foundation for a smooth and successful documentation process.

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Scope of Work Evolution

Existing Conditions used laser scanning to perform reality capture for approximately 180,000 square feet of space. The Existing Conditions team’s scope of work involved capturing spatial data of both the interior and exterior of the eight buildings to deliver 3D Revit models, floor plans, reflected ceiling plans (RCPs), exterior elevations, and roof plans.

To ensure Centerbrook Architects and Suffield Academy received the most accurate and up-to-date spatial data, Existing Conditions implemented a highly coordinated and quality-driven reality capture approach.

Before fieldwork began, our team conducted thorough research to select the most effective 3D laser scanning equipment and drone technology for the project. By using the latest high-definition drone imaging tools and aligning drone flights with our on-site 3D laser scans, we captured the current as-built conditions with precision and consistency.

Throughout the documentation process, our operations and processing teams worked in close collaboration. Data was uploaded daily, allowing the processing team to review it and identify if any areas were missed. This proactive workflow enabled us to identify and address any gaps in spatial coverage in real time, ensuring complete and accurate documentation.

3D laser scanning was completed by the end of August 2022, and all deliverables were provided to Centerbrook Architects and Suffield Academy by the end of September, meeting the project’s timeline.

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The Challenge

One of the primary challenges that Existing Conditions faced during the project was coordinating our work around school tours and visits. The team regularly communicated with multiple site contacts and adjusted work hours to avoid overlapping with tours and visitor activity, ensuring uninterrupted data collection.

Drone operations required additional planning due to the campus’s proximity to a local airport. This presented a challenge for the drone used for documentation work. The team monitored air traffic in real time and paused flights as needed to comply with FAA regulations. To meet legal restrictions on drones flying over people, the team segmented drone missions and executed them during low-traffic periods, capturing complete site data without violating airspace rules. Existing Conditions drone expertise helped to navigate this campus, maintaining both safety and efficiency.

Academic institutions operate on schedules with classes limiting access to rooms. Existing Conditions identified availability across classrooms, offices, and shared areas by coordinating directly with school staff. The team developed a documentation schedule that aligned with daily operations, allowing uninterrupted access to each building. This approach ensured accurate data capture without interfering with campus activities or compromising the integrity of the scans.

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The Solution

Existing Conditions has over 27 years of experience when it comes to 3D laser scanning academic institutions, which often have a rich history but outdated building documentation. Accurate building documentation is necessary for renovations. Having accurate as-built data allowed Centerbrook Architects to work with up-to-date drawings, avoiding costly change orders.

Existing Conditions has extensive experience documenting the architectural, structural, and MEP system layout and dimensions on universities, colleges, high schools, and campuses to support site renovations and upgrades, delivering as-built data to coordinate construction plans, reduce change orders, and save time. Project Managers use industry-leading Leica survey-grade laser scanners to capture 2-4 millimeter accurate existing site conditions in the form of a point cloud. Our in-house Mapping & Modeling Team transforms point clouds into customized 2D CAD drawings, 3D BIM models, 3D mesh models, TruViews, and 3D virtual tours at any level of detail for visualization, analysis, design, construction, and renovation.

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How This Project Was Unique

Existing Conditions completed a full 3D laser scan of both the interior and exterior of eight campus buildings and conducted an aerial drone survey to capture spatial relationships across the site. This provided the client with a comprehensive view of the campus layout, enhancing the value of the documentation. The drone survey supported planning decisions by offering accurate context beyond building layout and models. The Centerbrook architectural project team acknowledged the precision and thoroughness of the data, which aligned with their vision and supported long-term planning efforts.

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History of Suffield Academy

Suffield Academy, founded in 1833 in Suffield, Connecticut, began as the Connecticut Baptist Literary Institution with a mission to prepare young men for ministry. It quickly transitioned to a non-denominational model and was renamed the Connecticut Literary Institute, serving as the town’s only high school with public funding support. In 1937, the school adopted the name Suffield Academy and evolved into a coeducational independent boarding and day school. Today, it occupies a 368-acre campus and is recognized for its rigorous academics, diverse student body, and strong emphasis on leadership and character development.

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Existing Conditions 3D Laser Scanning Services

The team at Existing Conditions has decades of experience when it comes to delivering accurate building documentation for academic institutions, including point clouds, as-built drawings, 3D BIM models, and drone imagery. Existing Conditions has been selected to partner on some of the most historic and high-profile academic projects in the United States. We are the best in the building industry because we invest in our clients so that they will invest in us. Leverage our experience, equipment, and expertise.

Let us be your eyes in the field so you can do what you do best.

‍Contact us today!