Towards Digital Transformation for the Built Environment: Preliminary Results of a Synergistic Approach of Point Cloud, BIM and Augmented Reality

In the context of the digital transformation within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector for the built environment, the adop-tion of digital tools and process optimisation is emerging as pivotal issues within the scientific debate and professional practice. Currently, the main applications facilitate the Scan to BIM (Building Information Modeling) process, enabling highly accurate models that can be further integrated in Augmented Reality (AR) environments. The proposed approach aims to support decision-making processes through the optimisation of representation processes and the enhancement of the visualisa-tion of design solutions, combining the potentiality of each technology involved. Once the survey has been carried out, the resulting point clouds support modelling solutions as BIM objects, adopting an innovative approach that involves modelling only the design solutions. The integration the overlapping point cloud of the entire built environment with BIM models into an AR environment enhances visuali-sation and facilitates the comparison of project proposals, through an interface specifically designed for the purpose. The approach was validated through a case study, demonstrating its practical effectiveness. The synergetic and multidisciplinary approach developed can be easily implemented, replicated and scaled up or down from the scale of the building to the scale of the built environment.