Client Segment:
Vertical:
The Challenge
The data center campus included 3 operational facilities and 11 planned expansions, all connected by an underground tunnel network carrying critical MEP and networking services.
Although a LOD 300 structural Revit model was available, it lacked as-built information of services inside the tunnel, creating a major gap in the digital environment. The key challenge was to accurately capture and model these existing services to enable confident future expansion planning and seamless multi-discipline coordination.
Client’s Initial Hurdles
Existing LOD 300 Revit model lacked as-built tunnel service data
Critical underground tunnel corridor had no verified BIM information
Limited confidence in future expansion planning
High risk of coordination issues across multiple assets
Tunnel environment was dense and complex to capture accurately
Tight project timeline for scanning, registration, and modeling
Why This Was Critical
Why was this project important?
Because the underground tunnel network served as the infrastructure backbone connecting operational and future expansion assets across the campus.
Why was the existing model not enough?
Because the available Revit model covered structural and campus elements, but did not capture the actual as-built services installed inside the tunnel.
Why did this gap matter for future expansion?
Because future development and service coordination depend on knowing exactly what already exists, where it is routed, and how much usable corridor space remains.
Why was 3D laser scanning the right approach?
Because it enabled accurate and efficient capture of dense existing tunnel services that would have been difficult, slow, and less dependable to document manually.
Why was BIM modeling necessary after scanning?
Because scan data becomes significantly more valuable when converted into a structured Revit model that engineering and coordination teams can directly use.
Gaps in Existing Information
Structural LOD 300 model existed, but no as-built tunnel service data
Missing MEP and networking layout in a coordinated digital format
No visibility of service routing, positioning, and spatial relationships
Limited ability to plan tie-ins, check clearances, and coordinate future work
Created a planning and risk issue, not just a documentation gap
Why Specific Requirements Mattered
Delivered a focused Scan to BIM solution for missing tunnel-service data
Used 3D laser scanning + parallel point cloud registration for accurate capture
Developed detailed Revit model of existing underground services
Created a coordination-ready digital model for multi-discipline use
Completed within a tight 8-week timeline
Transformed tunnel data into a reliable asset for future planning and coordination.
The Desapex Solution
Desapex delivered a structured Scan to BIM solution to address missing tunnel service data and support future expansion planning. The process began by identifying key data gaps in the underground tunnel network, followed by high-precision 3D laser scanning to capture real-world conditions.
Point cloud registration was carried out in parallel to accelerate timelines and enable faster data validation. Using this data, a detailed Revit model of the existing services was developed, creating a reliable as-built representation.
The final output was a coordination-ready digital model that integrated seamlessly with the existing campus BIM environment, improving visibility, reducing risks, and supporting confident planning and multi-discipline coordination.
Project Timeline & Milestones
Project duration: 8 Weeks
Weeks 1–2: Point cloud registration (parallel with scanning)
Weeks 3–8: Revit modeling of tunnel services
Key Milestones:
Project kickoff & scope alignment
Scanning and registration completion
Start of BIM modeling
Quality review & final delivery
Software & Technology Used
Leica RTC360 – 3D laser scanning
Leica Cyclone – Point cloud registration
Autodesk Revit – BIM modeling
Autodesk Recap – Scan data processing
Coordination tools – Model validation
The Real Business Value Delivered
The project addressed a critical information gap within the campus infrastructure by capturing and modeling existing services in the underground tunnel network. This transformed partial digital visibility into a reliable, data-rich environment for planning and coordination.
It enabled more confident expansion planning, reduced risks associated with service-dense underground systems, and improved readiness for multi-discipline coordination across existing and future assets.
Key Outcomes:
Converted an undocumented tunnel network into a coordinated digital model
Strengthened planning confidence for future expansions
Reduced risk of design conflicts due to missing data
Improved visibility of underground service infrastructure
Enhanced the existing Revit environment with accurate as-built information
Delivered within a fast-tracked 8-week timeline
Overall, the project provided a dependable foundation for future expansion, coordination, and informed engineering decisions.
What This Means for Future Projects
This project demonstrates the increasing importance of targeted Scan to BIM interventions in large infrastructure campuses, especially where some digital assets already exist but critical service layers remain undocumented.
For Desapex, the engagement reinforced the value of combining laser scanning, parallel registration, and disciplined BIM production to solve highly specific coordination problems within tight timelines. It also showcased our ability to work within an existing digital ecosystem and add meaningful, high-impact information where the client needs it most.
For future projects, this experience strengthens Desapex’s position as a partner capable of delivering not just scanning or modeling services, but strategic digital enablement for expansion planning, infrastructure coordination, and reality-based BIM decision-making in complex operational environments.