The Challenge

A global financial services firm had recently acquired a 1.1 million sq. ft. office space at Nirlon Knowledge Park, Mumbai. With a fast-approaching move-in timeline and corporate fit-out teams mobilizing, the client urgently needed to begin interior design planning. However, a critical roadblock emerged as the As-Built drawings received from the base builder were unreliable and outdated.

Several inconsistencies were noticed between the documented services and actual site conditions, particularly in slab cutouts, shaft locations, and ceiling heights. This posed a major risk to the project’s success any errors carried over into the fit-out phase could lead to rework, structural mishaps, and costly delays.

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Client’s Initial Hurdles

• The as-built drawings were outdated and inaccurate, leaving the design team without a dependable foundation.
• With just eight weeks before interior work began, time was too short for conventional survey methods.
• Accurate PT slab markings were essential a single error could compromise safety.
• Multiple levels, ceiling variations, and concealed services made quick, precise documentation critical.

Why this was critical

Why were the original drawings unreliable?

The drawings were created during the base-build construction phase and had not been verified after handover. They lacked updates reflecting on-site changes made during execution a common issue in large commercial projects. Critical elements like shaft openings and service terminations did not align with real-world conditions.

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Why was time a critical factor?

The client’s global real estate and operations teams were working toward a fixed occupancy schedule. Delays in starting the interior fit-out would disrupt IT installations, employee relocation, lease obligations, and facility readiness all leading to downstream financial and operational losses.

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Why were PT slab markings necessary?

The building used Post-Tension (PT) slabs, which contain tensioned steel cables. Without knowing their exact location, drilling or coring could accidentally cut into a tendon causing serious structural damage, safety hazards, and days of halted site activity.

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What would have gone wrong without Desapex’s intervention?

Basing fit-out designs on incorrect documentation would have led to:

• Misaligned service routes
• Emergency design changes
• Structural safety issues due to blind core cuts
• Delays in construction kickoff and handover
• Unnecessary rework and budget overruns

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Gaps in Existing Information

The client realized that continuing without site-verified data would be risky. Their architectural and MEP consultants had no reliable source of truth to coordinate services. The existing 2D DWG files also lacked the dimensional accuracy and detail necessary for high-density office layouts and modern coordination workflows

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Why Specific Requirements Mattered

Beyond the need for accurate as-built data, the client also requested clear documentation of PT slab tendon positions to plan safe core drilling. Given the slab's structural importance, any uninformed core cut could have triggered structural damage worth ₹10–15 lakhs, not including the project timeline setback.

This specific requirement was a key factor in choosing a partner who could go beyond basic scanning they needed engineering understanding and digital expertise

The Desapex Solution

Desapex responded with a complete Reality Capture and Digital Modeling solution tailored for time-sensitive, high-accuracy commercial projects.

• We deployed three laser scanners and expert survey teams, enabling full-site scanning within just three weeks.
• The scans were processed and registered into a coordinated point cloud, ensuring no data gaps.
• Our BIM team translated this into a detailed as-built model capturing ASMEPF elements with millimeter precision.
• Most critically, we identified and modeled the Post-Tension (PT) slab markings, allowing the client to safely plan all service core cuts.

Project Timeline & Milestones

• Week 1-3: Site scanning completed using multiple laser scanners.
• Week 4-8: Data registration, BIM modeling, and sheet generation.
• Final Week: Submission of accurate as-built documentation for client use.

Software & Technology Used

• Autodesk Revit for BIM modeling.
• AutoCAD for 2D documentation.
• PDF Viewer for referencing legacy documents.
• Leica Cyclone Register 360 for point cloud data registration.
• Trimble RealWorks for advanced point cloud processing.

The Real Business Value Delivered

By partnering with Desapex, the client gained:

• Reliable data to start their fit-out on time, aligned with corporate occupancy plans
• Avoidance of 25–30% potential rework, by planning based on verified site conditions
• Risk mitigation on structural safety, by eliminating the possibility of cutting PT tendons
• Faster design coordination, saving 3 - 4 weeks typically lost in early-stage revisions
• A long-term digital asset, supporting future renovations, Facility Management, and compliance needs

Outcome or How the client got benefitted

This project showcased how reliable digital data at the very beginning of a project can significantly reduce risk, avoid rework, and keep large-scale developments on track. For clients managing high-value real estate portfolios, especially in fast-paced urban markets, this case proves the importance of investing in accurate, site-verified information before design and construction decisions are made.

By leveraging Desapex’s reality capture and BIM expertise, the client not only solved an immediate challenge but also laid the groundwork for better collaboration, faster coordination, and smarter execution in future projects.

Whether planning additional floors, future refurbishments, or ongoing facility management, the digital As-Built model now serves as a long-term asset delivering continuous value well beyond project handover.

This project reaffirms a simple truth: starting with accuracy leads to success at every stage.