The Goldschleger Library, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel

The Weizmann Institute’s Goldschelger Library is a structure with a special conical shell-like shape in which the transition between the floors and spaces is through a spiral staircase that climbs up the building. In preparation for the upgrading of the library and renovation of the structure so that it complies with accessibility standards, we were hired to document the existing structure (as-built).

We executed high-resolution laser scans inside and outside the structure and in its close vicinity (parking lot, shelters, etc.). The structure itself is surrounded by a large number of trees, which are great for the ambience and the environment, but to us, as surveyors, create masking and interference with the scan. To overcome these effects, we erected multiple scanning stations to scan the structure from several viewpoints and registered the scans to obtain a full, clear image.

We processed the scan results into a detailed 3D Revit model (350 LOD), which the Weizmann Institute will use in its future planning of the structure upgrading works, and which can serve as a baseline for management and maintenance during the structure’s routine activity, as part of the institute’s transition to a BIM (building information modeling) work model.

It is important to mention that the entire structure was scanned during regular activity hours and the job was completed quickly and quietly with minimal disturbance of the students and library visitors. The use of rapid and advanced silent laser scanners enables us to execute scanning jobs without interrupting the routine activity of the scanned site, thus saving both money and precious time.