As development of Oakland’s largest new building development in a half a century is underway, efforts to save the historic 9th Avenue Terminal at the Port of Oakland have resulted in the preservation of the historically significant portion of the building, to showcase a maritime museum.

3DVDT surveyed the 180,000 sq. ft. warehouse that was opened in 1930 at the west end of Brooklyn Basin. The survey was executed using 3D laser scanning technology to create a 3D model and 2D CAD drawings.

The main purpose of the warehouse building was to handle lumber, steel and other bulk commodities. It is the last surviving municipal terminal in Oakland constructed from the 1925 voter-approved harbor bond, and has been in continual use from October 1930 to 2015. It is a rare example of a particular architectural typology; a prewar municipal port building utilized for break-bulk cargo in Oakland with railroad spur tracks on either side, and extensive open platform space along the west side.

A recent article published in LiDAR Magazine by a colleague speaks the truth about the benefits of 3D laser scanning technology in the construction industry.

“I find it inexcusable for any significant new construction project to not incorporate 3D laser scanning technology as a part of the QA/QC construction process on a phased approach or milestone basis. There is simply too much to be gained by utilizing this technology. It shows the lack of understanding or maybe unwillingness to change within the construction industry. The small amount of investment in this process can literally have 10x ROI or even more.”  Ken Schmerz, Eco3D

Read the full article here . . . 

On November 4th, on-site documentation took place in the form of several workshops, sponsored by California Preservation Foundation in partnership with Mare Island Historic Park, Vallejo CA.

Demonstrations of laser scanning, photogrammetry, drones and large format cameras engaged a curious audience eager to learn more about innovative technologies currently used to assess, evaluate and measure historic properties and landscapes.

Mare Island, site of the U.S. Navy’s first permanent base on the West Coast, has several hundred structures and sites of historic and architectural interest. The shipyard opened in 1854 and had the first permanent drydock, turning out ships from WWI & WWII in its 142-year history.

3DVDT performed a live demonstration of laser scanning the facade of Building 46.  Built in 1855 and once the Pipe Shop/Smithery, it is an example of industrial Romanesque Revival architecture.  A presentation by Shari Kamimori followed, explaining the post-processing registration of the scan data and included case studies focused on post South Napa Earthquake analysis of several historic structures damaged by the Earthquake.

Orthographic view of the point cloud

Students of Sonoma Valley High’s Engineering Digital Technology Program will have the opportunity to participate in a 4-day workshop beginning April

28th to digitally preserve the historic Blue Wing Adobe Inn (1837) – Read on . . .