Heritage sector construction contributes some £7.1bn GVA and employs 100,000 construction workers and 24,000 architects, building and civil engineers and chartered surveyors, according to Historic England. Now, the heritage sector is among the worst affected by the covid-19 lockdown and likelihood of ongoing social distancing.
Much work can be carried out without visiting site at all. Pre-pandemic, Purcell was already looking at the potential for virtual models to be used for recording and surveying monuments and sites. This would obviate the need for expensive site work by capturing information digitally to enable desk-based assessments to be undertaken, supplemented only where necessary by physical surveys.
Photogrammetry (detailed surveys based on photographs) by drone is an emerging technology, but Purcell is already finding great benefits in using this approach to capture with accuracy existing building facades, and at times internal spaces. Drone surveys are used to take high-resolution digital photographs of the site. These photographs are supplemented by a limited point cloud survey and then a basic 3D model can be created. From this model rectified photographs are generated that present an undistorted image of the survey areas in sufficient detail and resolution to be able to pick out individual features and defects.
Remote Monitored Systems PLC (LON:RMS) is focused on the continued development of the Company’s ‘Survey & Inspection’ business. RMS wholly owns Geocurve Limited a specialist data collection, surveying and data analysis business.
