Delivering Large-Scale University Estate Surveys With NavVis During a Summer Shutdown

A Q&A with Lloyd Reed, Geospatial Associate Partner at Ridge and Partners LLP 

Large-scale estate surveys present a unique challenge: capturing accurate spatial data across complex, occupied environments while working within tight project deadlines and minimizing disruption to day-to-day operations.

To understand more about this use case, we interviewed Lloyd Reed, Geospatial Associate Partner at Ridge and Partners about how Ridge and Partners LLP approached the surveying of a major university college campus using NavVis reality capture technology, and how mobile mapping workflows improved efficiency, reduced repeat site visits, and provided long-term value through digital estate access.

• Project environment: University campus

• Project size: Large-scale estate with multiple small, intricate spaces
• Scope: Efficient reality capture for detailed quantity surveying and insurance reinstatement evaluation
• Technology used: NavVis MLX, NavVis IVION
• Outcome: A complete set of accurate 2D floor plans and area schedules, fewer repeat site visits, and a navigable digital view of the estate
• Key workflow: Capture complex spaces using NavVis MLX, process and validate spatial data, and deliver the requested documentation alongside NavVis IVION for visualization
  

Lloyd Reed, Geospatial Associate Partner at Ridge and Partners LLP, shared how the project came together, what helped the team make progress, and what advice he would give to others working toward similar outcomes.

Lloyd Reed, Geospatial Associate Partner at Ridge and Partners LLP

Q: What were you tasked with, or what did you aim to achieve?

The project involved delivering 2D floor plans and area schedules for a large number of buildings across a university college estate. These plans and measurements were used by our in-house quantity surveyors to provide the client with an insurance reinstatement evaluation.

The key challenge was how to survey such a large number of spaces within a limited timeframe during the summer break, while maximizing efficiency and minimizing disruption across the estate.

Q: What contributed most to the project’s progress?

We chose to adopt NavVis MLX as the primary solution for this project, as it allowed us to efficiently capture a large number of smaller, intricate spaces across the estate within the limited summer shutdown period.

In addition to the required deliverables, the project provided added value to the client through access to NavVis IVION.

Q: What results or progress did you see?

In the end, we were able to provide both the project teams and the client with all required deliverables, while significantly reducing the need for repeat site visits by our Quantity Surveying team.

The project also delivered added value beyond the core survey outputs, with the client’s estates team benefiting from the use of NavVis IVION to digitally navigate and view the estate.

Q: What advice would you give to someone trying to achieve similar outcomes?

My advice? Plan thoroughly and select the right mix of reality capture technologies — whether that’s NavVis MLX, NavVis VLX, or hybrid workflows incorporating TLS and a robust survey control network.

Conclusion

Successful large-scale property surveys rely on combining efficient reality capture technology with disciplined planning to deliver accurate data, minimize disruption, and improve long-term understanding of estate assets.

Ready to see how NavVis can transform your own workflows?