The Capital One Arena and adjacent Gallery Place—home to the Washington Capitals hockey team, Washington Wizards and Mystics basketball teams, and the University of Georgetown Hoyas—are set for an extensive renovation and modernization. Leveraging reality capture technology, VHB undertook the challenge of 3D laser scanning over 1.4 million square feet to verify and update an existing 3D model. Utilizing VLX Mobile Lidar, RTC360, and BLK360 terrestrial laser scanners, we were able to capture detailed information, including intricate spaces like the rafter catwalks, above-ceiling plenum space, and other critical areas.
In partnership with Coda, a construction technology company, we created a clean, highly accurate existing conditions point cloud to serve as the foundation for the next steps in renovating and modernizing the space. By employing a spatial data platform, we offered stakeholders virtual access to the site via a cloud-hosted walkthrough of the scanned spaces, enhancing collaboration and design accuracy while reducing the necessity for physical visits.
The fieldwork resulted in detailed Autodesk Recap point clouds segmented per floor. The scanner’s precision, coupled with more than 150 survey control points, kept the data aligned seamlessly within the existing coordinate system. It corrected inaccuracies from outdated as-built models and captured changes from previous renovations, yielding actionable insights to guide architects and contractors. Using reality capture technology helped alleviate potential construction challenges, leading to fewer disruptions and a streamlined path to modernizing these iconic spaces in the heart of Washington, DC.
