Architects using the RIBA Digital Plan of Works need to know how to use topographic and measured building survey data effectively in the design and construction process. This guide discusses each Stage, the surveys required and important considerations. Read the full article here: cadsonline.com/survey-data-and-the-riba-plan-of-works

1. Survey data and the
RIBA Digital Plan of Works

2. How is survey data
used by architects
within the RIBA
Digital Plan of
Works?
Many of CADS’ clients use RIBA’s Digital
Plan of Works to manage their design &
construction processes.
Here’s our summary of survey data
considerations alongside the RIBA
Digital Plan of Works.
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3. This stage is to ratify that the project is the best means of achieving the client
requirements. It is not about the design or practical details but focuses on making the
right strategic decisions and capturing these in a Business Case which includes
evaluating the pros and cons, the risks and the budget.
Stage zero
Strategic Direction
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4. Discuss your project with us.
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The following site surveys may be required, or alternatively it could
be worth investing in existing geospatial information. There are
multiple sources of data available on the market, that could provide
a good starting point for your project.
•Topographic surveys
•Utilities / underground surveys
•Site visits
•Condition surveys
Stage zero
Strategic Direction
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5. All data captured at this stage informs the development of the project brief seeking to
set the scope and scale of the project and any critical site constraints. The existing
geospatial information obtained at Stage 0 is usually very general therefore, once
planning starts, more detailed resources should be generated to serve as the base for
the design.
Stage one
Preparation & Briefing
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6. Consider appointing a survey firm at this
point, to establish, maintain and update a
survey control network throughout the
lifespan of the project. This will help prevent
coordination issues derived from different
surveys using different coordinate systems,
which usually lead to expensive design
clashes.
Surveys include:
•Topographic surveys
•GPR surveys
•MEP ‘as installed’ surveys
•Verification surveys
•Measured building surveys
•Fire safety plans
Stage one
Preparation & Briefing
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7. The architectural concept is prepared incorporating the strategic engineering
requirements, aligned to the cost plan, project strategies and outline
specification.
Stage two
Concept Design
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8. Survey data captured in Stage 1 delivered as a 3D model will inform
the architect’s concept design, as they start to address the form,
scale and general appearance of the building within its location and
context.
If they are adopting a BIM strategy for their project, they will be
planning to integrate and coordinate data from different sources into
one single platform. All aspects of the design should use a common
coordinate system to prevent clashes, which can be managed and
coordinated by the appointed survey firm.
Stage two
Concept Design
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9. Stage two
Concept Design
Additional surveys
More in-depth surveys to capture specific data requirements that
were previously out of scope or to update inconsistent or inaccurate
information.
Other considerations may include large scale topographic
surveys, drone surveys, underground CCTV inspections, laser-
scan surveys of plant rooms etc. may be required.
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10. At Stage 3, the architectural and engineering information is spatially coordinated.
Survey data required at this stage ensures the architect’s Concept Design can
become a physical reality. 3D models created at earlier stages are developed into
coordinated BIM with additional data included into the core model enabling clash
detection.
Stage three
Spatial Coordination
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11. Detailed surveys
Detailed surveys of specific areas, structures, or services may be
needed for the clash detection process. These can include intrusive
surveys to expose a building structure, or more detailed building
services surveys where the feasability of any proposed design needs to
be validated to avoid potential costly redesigns at a later stage.
Stage three
Spatial Coordination
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12. All design information required to manufacture and construct the project are
completed at this stage, such as specification details of MEP for future planned
maintenance. Surveys are unlikely to be required at this stage.
Stage four
Technical Design
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13. Surveys commissioned at this stage inform the construction process, ensuring
everything is built and installed exactly as designed. This is where most problems
occur from poor coordination of survey data in the previous stages. Most of these
issues can be prevented if a common coordination system is used throughout the
project.
Stage five
Manufacturing & Construction
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14. Stage five
Manufacturing & Construction
Survey
Site control and setting out surveys are a key
part of the construction process and ensure
elements of the project are installed in their
exact positions according to the design. Other
considerations include site engineering
surveys and site control maintenance: Most of
the survey control points get destroyed during
this stage so it’s critical to plan ahead for their
relocation and the recalculation of coordinates.
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15. The building is handed over to the end user, aftercare is initiated, and the
building contract is concluded. Verification surveys may be
commissioned to verify accuracy of construction and conclude the Building Contract.
Data may also be captured on the as-built and as-installed condition and used for
updating the ‘Digital Twin’ models for Facilities Management. Other elements to
consider are as-built topographic surveys and as-built laser-scan surveys.
Stage six
Handover
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16. Stage seven
Use
Once in use the building should be operated and maintained efficiently. Maintaining an
accurate record with ad-hoc surveys to record changes to the structure or layout of the
building is good practice. These include verification survey, measured building survey,
topographic survey, etc.
Remember, it’s always more cost effective to keep records up-to-date with limited-
scope regular surveys as opposed to commissioning a full survey every few years.
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17. Discover more at
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Survey data and the
RIBA Digital Plan of Works