3D Laser Scanning Railway Arches in Liverpool: Creating Accurate Data for the Next Phase of Embassy Villages Development
Historic railway arches present a unique challenge when it comes to re-development.
No two arches are exactly the same. Decades – and in some cases more than a century – of movement, settlement, vibration and alterations can result in irregular geometry that is difficult to fully understand from existing drawings alone.
For the next phase of a railway arch development project in Liverpool, BMS Design Ltd carried out detailed 3D laser scan capture, using the Faro Focus, creating an accurate digital record of the existing structures to support the next stages of design and development.
Our work involved capturing the physical reality of the arches on site and transforming that information into detailed 3D model and CAD outputs.
The result: reliable, accurate as-built data that can be used to better understand the existing environment and inform future design decisions.
Why 3D laser scanning is particularly valuable for historic railway arches
Existing Victorian and historic railway infrastructure was not designed with today's digital design and construction workflows in mind.
Over time, structures can develop subtle – and sometimes significant – variations in their geometry. Brickwork may not be perfectly uniform, arches can vary in profile, floors may be uneven and existing dimensions may differ from historic or previous survey information.
For architects, engineers, developers and contractors planning the next phase of work, relying on assumptions can create unnecessary risk.
This is where an accurate 3D laser scan survey becomes invaluable.
Using terrestrial laser scanning technology, BMS Design Ltd captured the arches in detail, recording millions of measurement points across the site to create a highly accurate point cloud survey.
Rather than relying solely on manual measurements or legacy drawings, the project team now has a detailed digital representation of the structures as they actually exist.
From on-site reality capture to digital information
The scan capture process creates a bridge between the physical site and the digital design environment. The workflow for this Liverpool railway arch project was:
Site capture → 3D laser scan data → point cloud → 3D model → CAD outputs
Each stage turns the information gathered on site into increasingly usable project data.
1. Accurate on-site capture
BMS Design Ltd carried out detailed 3D laser scanning on site, capturing the geometry and spatial conditions of the existing railway arches.
Laser scanning allows large and complex environments to be recorded efficiently while capturing significantly more spatial information than would be practical through traditional manual measurement alone.
This is particularly valuable in environments with:
Irregular arch geometry
Historic brickwork
Uneven surfaces and floor levels
Complex structural features
Restricted spaces
Existing openings and interfaces
Tight design tolerances
VIDEO: Scan capture process inside the Liverpool railway arches using Faro Focus
2. Creating the point cloud
The scan data is then processed into a point cloud – a detailed digital record made up of millions of measured points representing the existing environment.
The point cloud enables the project team to view and interrogate the site digitally, providing a reliable reference for further design and modelling work.
For complex existing buildings and infrastructure, this creates an important distinction between designing around what is assumed to be there and designing around what has actually been captured.
3. Developing the 3D model
Using the captured survey information, the existing structures can then be translated into an accurate 3D digital model.
This provides a clearer understanding of the geometry, scale and spatial relationships within the arches and creates a practical foundation for the next phase of development.
A 3D model can be particularly useful where new elements need to work around or within an existing structure.
It allows designers and project teams to better understand available space, interfaces and potential constraints before those decisions move onto site.
4. Producing CAD-ready outputs
The final stage is turning the reality capture data into information that can be used within the wider project workflow.
BMS Design Ltd's Scan-to-CAD and 3D modelling services help convert complex existing conditions into accurate, usable digital outputs for architects, engineers, designers and construction teams.
This can support:
Existing condition surveys
As-built drawings
Design development
Refurbishment and redevelopment projects
Space planning
Structural coordination
MEP coordination
Clash and clearance assessments
Future construction planning
Reducing uncertainty before work progresses
One of the greatest benefits of 3D reality capture is its ability to reduce uncertainty early in a project. On existing structures, relatively small discrepancies can have significant consequences further down the line. A dimension taken from an old drawing may no longer reflect the physical reality of the building. An assumed arch profile may differ from the actual structure. A new component designed to a nominal dimension may encounter an unexpected constraint once it reaches site.
By capturing accurate as-built information at the outset, project teams can make decisions based on the actual conditions on site. This can help identify potential issues earlier and support better coordination between the different disciplines involved in the project. Ultimately, the aim is to move potential problems into the digital environment, where they are generally easier and less expensive to resolve.
Supporting the next phase of development
The Liverpool railway arch scan demonstrates how 3D laser scanning can support the redevelopment and repurposing of complex existing infrastructure.
As more historic and industrial structures are brought back into use, accurate digital information becomes increasingly important. Railway arches, warehouses, mills and other heritage buildings often offer huge development potential, but they also come with geometry and conditions that can't always be reliably understood from legacy information.
Before the next phase begins, a detailed digital record can provide the project team with a much stronger understanding of the space they are working with. For this project, BMS Design Ltd's scan capture, 3D modelling and CAD outputs provide a reliable digital foundation for the work ahead.
3D laser scanning for complex existing buildings and infrastructure
This type of workflow is not limited to railway arches.
BMS Design Ltd provides 3D laser scanning, point cloud surveys, as-built modelling and Scan-to-CAD services for projects where accurate existing-condition data is essential.
Our services are particularly valuable for:
Historic and listed buildings
Railway arches and infrastructure
Refurbishment projects
Commercial and industrial buildings
Complex construction sites
Large-scale existing facilities
Redevelopment and repurposing projects
Projects with limited or unreliable existing drawings
Design coordination and clash investigation
By combining accurate 3D reality capture with practical 3D modelling and CAD expertise, we help project teams create a clearer picture of the existing environment before design and construction decisions are made.
Need an accurate digital record of an existing building?
If your next project involves a complex existing structure, historic building or redevelopment site, don't rely on assumptions or outdated drawings.
BMS Design Ltd can help you capture the reality of the site and turn it into accurate, usable digital information.
Our 3D laser scanning, point cloud, as-built survey, 3D modelling and Scan-to-CAD services provide a reliable foundation for design, coordination and future development.
Get in touch with BMS Design Ltd to discuss your 3D laser scanning or reality capture requirements. info@bmsdesignltd.co.uk
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