Virtual Design Analysis Group is a division of NVentum, LLC.


-CAPTURING HISTORY-
This unique collaborative endeavor; to utilize the latest reality capture technology to document the artifacts, buildings and campus of History San Jose, provides opportunities for private sector, non-profits and institutions of higher education to work together to solve some of today's most pressing engineering issues. The protocol for retrofitting as-built historic facilities and the use of new technologies to preserve our most prized historic treasures are vital to the continued success and expanded influence of our museums.
This blog will document the challenges and successes of this ambitious, one of a kind project.

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

The Historic Kelley House...at Kelley Park, San Jose, CA.



In 1861 Judge Lawrence Archer purchased 160 acres just outside of San José’s city limits. He named the property around Coyote Creek “Lone Oak.” Archer moved his family in 1869, from their downtown home to a two-story house surrounded by elaborate gardens and accessed by two avenues lined with pepper, cypress and eucalyptus trees. There he grew orchards of prunes, apricots, walnuts, and was especially proud of his cherries. A well respected resident and attorney, Archer came to California in 1852 and settled in San Jose in 1853. Active in community service, he was Mayor of San José in 1856 and 1878; a County Judge from 1867 – 71; and served at State Assemblyman from 1875 – 76. Archer left his “Lone Oak” property to his only daughter, Louise Archer Flavin Kelley. She inherited the land in 1910 and it became known as “Ar-Kel” an abbreviation of her maiden and married names...From HSJ webapage. www.historysanjoseorg
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Built in 1912, the 5,600 square foot Kelley House is part of what is now Happy Hollow Park and Zoo, the Japanese Gardens, Kelley Park and History Park


After sitting abandoned for many years, the Kelley Mansion fell into disrepair. In 1994,estimates to rebuild the historic home were in nearly $2 million





In February 2012, the Kelley House was destroyed by a two alarm fire




For the past 34 months, the home has sat abandoned and exposed to the elements. The damage to the roof of the home was extensive; seventy percent of the roof was damaged by the fire. The remainder of the roof was damaged due to time and the elements.



The Kelley House is scheduled for demolition in early January 2015.







In, December 2014, NVentum, LLC. was asked to create a
digital record of the historic San Jose property prior to demolition.













So, on Saturday December 27th with trusty FARO in hand, the 
process of creating accurate historic record began with the laser scanning of the exterior of the Kelley House.

  
Over the next several days, the exterior, second story and solarium were laser scanned and photographed with the latest FARO 3D Focus Scanner.



The project concludes on New Years Day with the documentation of the first floor of the home.
After we have collected the data on this historic home, what next?