Museums And Environmental Management

My introduction to the unique world of museums came in 1996 while working for the City of San Jose. I was responsible for coordinating the America's Smithsonian Tour which was scheduled to visit San Jose in August of 1997. I was about to get a crash course in indoor environmental management from people who were not only experts in the field but charged with the unbelievable task of protecting our country's greatest treasures as they are being transported from state to state and from facility to facility.

Prior to this, I had some experience with clients who had stringent environmental standards, or so I thought. In my early career working in concert production, I worked with several artist who were extremely particular about the condition of their "space". Issues surrounding room temps, humidity, types of bedding,  food, transportation; you name it, I've dealt with it in some way shape or form.

San Jose Center for the Performing Arts

Later, while working in San Jose's Downtown theaters I ran into similar challenges with clients, lessees and guest. The SJ Ballet needed the rehearsal areas above certain temperatures or the dancers would experience leg cramps and other discomfort. Symphony San Jose needed the theater's temperature between certain levels at all times; if the room got below a certain level, the brass instruments would go flat. If the room exceeded a certain temperature, there were problems with string instruments. These seem fairly simple issues to resolve however you are dealing with a rehearsal space that is 2000 square feet and you are trying to maintain a set temperature not only in that space but the entire 30,000 square foot room, you are going to have inconsistencies, cold spaces, drafts, etc.. This is especially true when you are dealing with buildings that are decades old and maintained on shoes string budgets. In short, I was quite accustomed to being cursed at by conductors, directors and production managers for our inability to control the environmental and mechanical systems in our facilities.

Welcome America's Smithsonian to San Jose. Can you imagine being responsible for transporting and caring for treasures like Martha Washington's Inaugural Gown, Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat or NASA's original lunar rover? I don't want to minimize the Ballet Dancer's leg cramps but these exhibits definitely kicked the conversations about our internal environmental problems into another gear.

Mary Todd Lincoln's Silver Service
America's Smithsonian

When I received the list of items to be exhibited at our facility, I was immediately taken by the enormity of this project. Yes, they were bringing Martha Washington's Inaugural Gown and Lincoln's top hat but they were also bringing $40 million worth of rare gems, The Hope Diamond, the Freedom 7 Space Capsule, a collection of Jackie Kennedy's formal gowns, rare insect collections, priceless paintings, rare photographs, an Apollo 15 Space Suit, Tiffany Lamps, dinosaur fossils; a traveling sample of every aspect of the Smithsonian's vast collection of artifacts and treasures. There were rare items made of every type of material, both natural and man-made; from moon rocks to synthetic fibers, from wood to titanium, each of these rare items had its own unique requirements. I spent the next nine months immersing myself in the world of the Smithsonian curators. I was fascinated with the many facets of artifact preservation and the amount of care and detail required to maintain these treasures for public display. Over the next nine months, I learned from the industry's leaders about the harmful effects of poor environmental conditions on artwork, fabric, wood and metals.

Apollo 15 Space Suit
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

The effect of the indoor environment on museum objects has received much more attention from museum and conservation staff during the last 100 years. Negative effects caused by variations in the relative humidity of air have been observed and described for at least the last one hundred years, and so has the effect of temperature, and light exposure. But pollutants in the indoor museum environment receive much less attention. One reason is the effect of indoor air pollutants is not always obvious. Some deterioration types are easily recognized, like corrosion, mold and mildew. But other decay processes are more hidden and harder to detect, such as loss of fiber strength in a material. In fact, pollutants are rarely the only factor in a deterioration process. It is the interaction with relative humidity, temperature, and even other pollution compounds which cause deterioration.

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat
America's Smithsonian

Indoor air pollution is not an easy problem to address. There are literally hundreds of compounds in the average indoor air environment that are considered "pollutants". These compounds originate from just as many sources, and while a compound may be very aggressive towards one type of material it may be harmless toward other materials.

Modern approaches towards fighting indoor air pollutants have been adapted from the human health and ergonomics field of science. While the technology from that field, such as air measuring methods, will be a useful tool, other approaches are not necessarily adaptable when dealing with the preservation of museum objects. Unlike human beings, museum objects are intended to last for centuries. Unlike the human body which can heal again if exposed to small doses of poisonous substances, toxic materials in artifacts will accumulate from any attack, slowly decaying more and more. Therefore even small exposures to pollutants will have a cumulative effect on artifact preservation over time.

Apollo 15 Lunar Rock
America's Smithsonian

Museums and Special Indoor Air Quality Issues
Many museums tend to store objects in airtight and confined boxes like display cases or storage containers. If a display case is made of a pollution emitting material, the pollutants will be released and kept within the case together with the museum objects. An example of this could be a display cabinet made of oak wood, which is known to release formic and acetic acid vapors.

The Hooker Diamonds
America's Smithsonian

In open galleries or storage rooms these problems are less common, except when large surfaces acts as pollution sources, like newly painted walls or new flooring coverings. Larger open galleries and warehouses have a different set of challenges when it comes to pollutants and air quality. Maintaining uniform temperatures, consistent circulation, sufficient filtration and acceptable humidity levels are the biggest source of concern for these types of operations.

The Hope Diamond
America's Smithsonian

We've all seen the affects of moisture and humidity of fabrics and clothes. We've all seen blacken and/or tarnished silver but probably weren't aware that the cause is often the affects of various sulphur compounds in the environment. (The source of the sulphur may be sulphur containing materials like wool or rubber found in carpets.)
'Modern' metals like aluminium, zinc, and magnesium has also shown to be sensitive to attack from pollutants originating from common construction materials, like wood, paints, and adhesives.
There are "self-polluting" artifacts like certain plastics and cellulose acetate used in film that give off various pollutants as the deterioration process progresses. There are the well documented negative affects of light pollution on artwork, specifically paintings. The list of materials and concerns for their preservation goes on and on. It's much more extensive than I can articulate as a layman.
This was my introduction to the world of the museum curator and the business of artifact preservation.

San Jose McEnery
Convention Center

The Exhibit Environment
America's Smithsonian was schedule to begin installation at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in late July of 1997. The space they would occupy is a typical "Black Box" exhibit hall; 4 walls, a floor and a ceiling. The space was 100,000 square feet with 30' tall ceilings and 24" thick reinforced concrete floors. Under the best of circumstances, cooling the exhibit halls in the summer was a time consuming process.  The exhibit halls had two 25' wide x 18' tall loading dock doors which were open to allow the tractors trailers that were transporting the exhibits to drive into the building to drop off their cargo. We would use this same process to facilitate the set up for the Smithsonian exhibit. The challenge with this strategy was the weather. This was the month of July with average temperatures in the low 90s. The open loading dock doors meant we would be unable to adequately cool the exhibit space in time for the installation of the artifacts. Even if the air conditioning system was operating at peak performance, which it wasn't, it would be 24 hours after the loading dock doors closed before the thick concrete floors would cool down enough to sustain an acceptable room temperature to display the various exhibits. This was one of the major logistical concerns for the building of the exhibit.

Freedom 7 Space Capsule
America's Smithsonian

However, the logistical concerns came late in the game.  It was the preservation of the artifacts that were first and foremost in the minds of the exhibit organizers. (You'd think it would be security but the U.S. Marshall and the  FBI  left nothing to chance.) I got my first indication of the enormity of the task at hand when one of the  curators told me that Abraham Lincoln's top hat was so delicate that if it were exposed to ambient air and light for any extended amount of time, it would literally fall apart. The environmental concerns started in August of 1996; one year prior to the installation of the Smithsonian exhibit. Those environmental  concerns didn't end until the last tractor trailer left San Jose.

Martha Washington's Gown
America's Smithsonian

How would we achieve and maintain a 68 to 72 degree temperature range in an exhibit space that large during the month of August? Can we sustain that temperature level with 10,000 people per day moving through the exhibits? There are other events happening in adjacent exhibit halls. What type of events are happening and are there concerns about contaminants from other shows impacting the Smithsonian exhibits? How will traffic from these other events effect airflow and temperature in the facility?  How about insect infestation? Fumigation of the entire facility is a must but when and how does it affect other operations in the building? How about the fluorescent lighting throughout the facility? Convention Center lighting would have to be replaced by temporary theatrical lighting systems to protect the artifacts. The questions were constant and the task was daunting, to say the least.

Aggreko Air Conditioning Unit

Long story short, we rented supplemental air conditioning system at the cost of $1 million for the month of August. The curators went through the building with a fine toothed comb checking for things that could negatively impact the artifacts and exhibits. They thoroughly examined the facility's HVAC system, they made sure all air filters were replace, they had the entire building fumigated, including the lower level garages; they left nothing to chance and no stone unturned in preparing the facility for the installation and exhibition of the nation's artifacts.

By the close of the 30 day exhibit, over 330,000 visitors attended the America's Smithsonian Exhibition at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. The monumental task of maintaining the strict environmental standards of one of the world's premiere museums was a major success for the City of San Jose. However in retrospect, the thought of the environmental impact of this event never crossed our minds. This was 1997 and the concept of an exhibition having a "carbon footprint" of any kind was unheard of. Though by today's standards of "green" or "sustainable" events, it does raise a few questions. For example, the convention center's 100MW CoGen system operating at full power 24 hours per day for 36 straight days, the 60MW Generator rented from Aggreko to supplement our HVAC system, the thirty plus tractor trailers, the support vehicles and aircraft used to transport the artifacts; not to mention any of specialty vehicles or altered vehicles that were need to transport the most fragile artifacts.

The general public has no idea of the cost associated with managing, operating and sustaining a public assembly facility. If the general public was more in tune with the expenses of maintaining and operating museums, theaters, convention centers, arenas and auditoriums, there would be a much more aggressive move towards sustainable construction and retrofits. The cost to the City of San Jose for hosting the 30 day America's Smithsonian Exhibition was well into seven figures 14 years ago. The need to maximize the performance of our public facilities is not only a environmental necessity, it is an economic necessity.

 NVentum and the San Jose History Park
When we decided to find a facility to demonstrate BIM technology and showcase its' myriad applications, my experience with the curators of America's History Museum was first and foremost in my thought process. What better way to demonstrate the benefits  or explore new applications for  this technology than to feature a world class history museum? A local museum with a vast array of artifacts that span centuries of culture and technology. History San Jose is that institution. We are fortunate to have this rare opportunity right here in our own backyard. I am also very fortunate to have an opportunity to apply the knowledge I've gained over the years to a project that  I am passionately committed to.

3D Model vs BIM

3D MODEL
A major component of this project is the creation of a 3D model of the San Jose History Park. However, the main goal of this project is to create a fully integrated BIM project for the San Jose History Museum and campus. While many people believe BIM and 3D models are synonymous, there is a major difference between to two.

Laser Scan of History San Jose Printers Office by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC.

3D Models
There are a number of ways 3D models can be beneficial for building maintenance and operations.

A 3D model can be a tremendously useful cost containment and budgeting tool on Capitol Improvement Projects.
Laser Scanning Services and 3D modeling are more cost effective than manual measurement processes, which are error prone and require a greater length of time to complete. Additionally, because Laser Scanning and 3D modeling are significantly more accurate than manually created documentation there is less need for costly field fit-up. Field trips are also reduced as there is less need for field crews to return to correct inaccuracies. Better visibility of the areas and objects also improves operation and maintenance review.
Many older facilities lack proper blueprints, original construction plans or documentation. Often times, build outs, renovations and upgrades occur and the documentation is not done properly, lost or just non-existent. This is true for historic buildings as well as buildings that were built in the last 40 to 50 years. A 3D model of an as-built facility is not only the most accurate way to monitor conditions, it may be the only truly accurate documentation of a facility. Once again, this process works throughout the life-cycle of a facility. Future expansions, renovations and/or upgrades to the facility can be added to the 3D model to insure proper documentation.

Coordination of Team Information and Improved Scheduling
One of the greatest obstacles in planning repair work may be the ability to share comprehensible information and communications between different project teams who may be impacted by a change in procedure. With a 3D model, existing conditions and documentation can be shared among a number of different project members or teams from a number of different disciplines using electronic files, allowing immediate access to critical information. This fact holds true from the design and construction phase, through commissioning and continues throughout the entire life-cycle of the facility.
Planning scheduled maintenance and facility upgrades is another one of the essential functions of a 3D model. Building operations managers are responsible for completing maintenance and modification plans within a tightly monitored timeline. Each unplanned interference or unanticipated problem resulting from inaccurate existing condition documentation can result in extended outages, possibly a loss of income. The 3D model is an important tool in minimizing these types of problems.

Facility Use Agreements/Sales and Marketing
Operations and administrative staff can use the 3D Model to coordinate events, plan and manage internal projects, assign/allocate space, manage onsite programs and negotiate facility lease agreements. The 3D model is an excellent sales tool, providing perspectives that traditional 2D floor plans simply cannot match.

The bottom line is,the purpose of a 3D Model is to provide a platform to share information between the various individuals and teams involved in the construction, maintenance and operation of a facility. This shared platform provides a seamless exchange of real-time information to optimize productivity, minimize operational cost and maximize revenue throughout the facility's life-cycle.

WHAT IS BIM?
Building Information Modeling

According to the National BIM Standards Committee (NBIMS), building information modeling as “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility, forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life cycle, existing from earliest conception to demolition.”

BIM encompasses more than a 3D computer-rendered model of a building. In addition to architectural information, the complete BIM contains all of the building’s information, from wall systems, structural systems, electrical systems, HVAC equipment, plumbing fixtures, door and window schedules, and finishes, right down to the manufacturer, supplier, and square footage of every material specified on the project. In other words BIM is an "Intelligent 3D Model" . BIM is intended to be used as a tool for facility owners and operators to better manage their facility throughout its entire existence.

Throughout NVentum's 7 year existence, we've worked on a variety of projects for government, nonprofit and for profit entities. Basically, our role has been to provide laser scanning services for condition monitoring, construction, expansion and/or renovation of as-built facilities. I don't recall any instance where the 3D model we've produced has been expanded for use as an intelligent facility operations system. Unfortunately, very few 3D Models are currently being used in this manner. Condition monitoring and construction is just a fraction of what this technology is designed to achieve. BIM technology provides us with a way to reduce the carbon footprint of older facilities through sustainable retrofits. BIM systems incorporate state of the art actuators and sensors to monitor and control Indoor Air Quality. This allows owner/operators to monitor airflow throughout a facility, conduct real-time energy audits, monitor and adjust a facility's mechanical systems to insure peak performance.

An example of one way BIM can assist owner operators with energy savings is through virtual simulations. If your building has a functioning BIM program, you could enter all information regarding the building's exterior windows into the 3D model; the thickness of the glass, the reflectivity of the the windows, the manufacturer, date of installation, etc..The building's operators can perform simulations within the model by exchanging all of the building's exterior windows with new windows that have different specifications and standards. From there, a variety of simulations can be conducted to determine changes in the buildings performance in a virtual world:
1. Does exchanging windows affect the ambient lighting in the work areas?
2. Are there any changes in airflow throughout the facility?
3. Do the new windows affect changes in heat or temperature?
4. If we were to change windows, what types of windows would be the most cost effective for the company?
This is one example of many types of virtual simulations that BIM offers facility operators. These same tools can be applied to all of a buildings operational systems; electrical, mechanical, environmental, asset management, security, etc..
Simulations can be done at little cost to building operators and they provide critical information that can have a major economic and environmental impact on the management and operation of a facility(s).

The major benefit of BIM for building operators and owners are the cost savings. The majority of the life-cycle cost of a building does not come from the design and construction phase, but from operating the building over 20 to 50 years. Federal studies have shown that operations and maintenance account for between 60 and 85 percent of total costs of ownership.

A 2004 study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) estimated the efficiency losses in the U.S. capital facilities industry from inadequate interoperability among CAD, engineering, and software systems. According to that study approximately $15.8 billion in annual costs of inadequate interoperability in the U.S. capital facilities industry in 2002. Of these costs, two-thirds are borne by owners and operators, who incur them predominantly during ongoing facility operation and maintenance. Examples of inefficiencies resulting from inadequate interoperability include manual re-entry of data, duplication of business functions, and the continued reliance on paper-based information management systems.
BIM's shared platform eliminates these concerns and results in increase productivity and significant cost savings for facility operators.


From The U.S. Energy Information Administration Webpage 
"Eighty-two percent of all greenhouse gas emitted by human activity is energy-related carbon dioxide. Since 1990, 48 percent of the increase in U.S. carbon emissions can be attributed to increasing emissions from the building sector."
 http://38.96.246.204/emeu/efficiency/aceee2000.html

Where History Meets Art and Technology

Laser Scan w/Texture Mapping
Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC.

Laser Scan of SJ History Park Plaza
by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC.

Laser Scan w/Texture Mapping
by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC.

Laser Scan w/Texture Mapping
by Ken Hanna, NVentum, LLC

Frank Greene Scholars Students- "Takin' it all in".

Laser Scan Of SJ History Park

Laser Scan
by Ken Hanna- NVentum, LLC.

Laser Scan of History SJ Printers Office
by Ken Hanna- NVentum, LLC.

Photo and Forensic Scans
by Leica Geosystems

Forensic Laser Scans
by Leica Geosystems

Forensic Scans
by Leica Geosystems

Details, Details

When I first envisioned this project, I saw a very complicated, thought invoking process that would require hundreds of hours of planning in addition to the actual on-site, physical processes involved in developing the end product. At initial presentation, the museum and campus present quite a challenge for any skilled professional let alone a project involving community college students. It's definitely challenging but it can be accomplished with proper curriculum, guidance and instruction.

After touring several of the restored homes on the property, I realized the amount of detail in the reality capture of the building's interior spaces would be one of the most critical aspects of the the project. Capturing the detail of the architecture is routine and there are no surprises from that aspect. However, when touring the homes and seeing the details involved in the artifacts, furnishings and objects on display, the scope of the project expands 3 fold. Obviously, there are paintings, antique lamps, photos, and furniture; everything you'd expect in a traditional home. Where it gets complicated is the "little details"; for instance, the kitchen, all the utensils

and "stuff". There are drawers full of antique cookware, eating utensils, food storage bins, an "Ice Box", salt & pepper shakers, etc..That's expected too, however the point of the 3D model is to provide the museum's operators with a detailed operational model that contains all artifacts and objects in the museum.

How do we account for cooking utensils that are in the kitchen but not visible, obstructed because they are stored in the cabinets and drawers? Sounds like a minor problem but as we get into this project, it becomes much more of an issue. The deeper you delve into this project, the more layers you discover; and "layered" is the best way to describe this project.

Logic says we start with a survey of the property. We follow the survey with the reality capture of the exterior of all the structures. We follow that with the reality capture of the interior of the structures. Now, we must attach the interior scans of the buildings to the exterior scans scans taken earlier, making sure we have the proper coordinates. These recently joined building scans must be attached to the GIS survey model. Next, artifacts must be scanned, documented and placed within the 3D model. The artifacts must then be attached to a coordinate within the 3D database as part of the asset management process. Simple, right?

Before I get too carried away, let's not forget I was just discussing the documentation phase of our project. Reality Capture and documentation is just one component of the overall plan. This began as a BIM project and we are squarely committed to the concept(s) of BIM and its relationship to environmental sustainability. Integration of intelligent systems to control and monitor building(s) performance, energy consumption, maintenance and operations are essential to the success of this project. Museums are particularly concerned about the quality of the environment where the artifacts are housed and maintained. Contaminants, pollutants, humidity, heat, cold, insects, larva and a host of other environmental concerns are a constant threat to the preservation of historical treasures. This was a major factor in NVentum's decision to develop this project in collaboration with a museum.

Indoor air quality has a major impact on our health and productivity. According to a 2009 report for the U.S. Department of Energy, in the United States commercial and residential buildings account for 39% of the country’s carbon dioxide emissions and 70% of electrical consumption per year, according to the US Department of Energy. Buildings consume more energy than any other sector of our economy including transportation and industry. Proper Building Information Management (BIM) technology can have a major impact on the health and productivity of our community. Existing SMART technologies and procedures can improve Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in a manner that significantly increases employee productivity and health. According to an August 2000 report from the Environmental Energy Technologies Division of The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the estimated potential savings and productivity gains in the U.S. alone are $6 Billion to $14 Billion from reduced respiratory disease, $2 to $4 Billion from reduced allergies and $20 to $160 Billion from direct improvement in worker performance related to health. The importance of the sustainability questions that will be addressed through this project simply cannot be overstated.

When I was given access to the museum's warehouse which is located off the main campus, I was struck by the enormous responsibility we've assumed. For some reason, the History Park has always seemed to be more of a local "neighborhood museum" to me. This is probably a sentiment that is shared by many locals and San Jose natives. The reality of what we have in our own backyard is simply staggering. History San Jose is truly a treasure trove containing bits and pieces of every possible aspect of the human experience in San Jose and Santa Clara County. I am amazed, not only the enormity of the collection but the range and variety of artifacts. In one hour, I saw a prototype of the first Apple Computer mounted on a wooden board, a wooden bicycle built in the mid 1880's, five (5) antique motorcycles from pre-1920, native american pottery and handwritten notes from the valley's first Spanish settlers to the Royal Court of Spain.

The responsibility for implementing a proper procedure(s) for preserving these artifacts takes on a whole new meaning when you are face to face with treasures that chronicle the lives of the individuals and families of that helped establish and settle Santa Clara Valley.

Evergreen Valley College's VDC/BIM Programs

"Evergreen Valley College’s new BIM certificate program is designed to provide you with the necessary skills to compete for a growing number of jobs in the field of Virtual Design and Construction.  If you are already working in the Construction field or have an interest in finding out how you can enter this new occupation, take time to sign up for this new and exciting certificate program that begins in the Fall."
From Evergreen Valley College Webpage, http://www.evc.edu/bat/bim.pdf

Santa Clara University

One of the driving factors behind the "Capturing History San Jose" project has been the lack of training opportunities available to people interested in laser scanning, VDC, BIM and many related emerging technologies. Several months ago, NVentum began the process of building relationships with various institutions of higher learning with the goal of creating a comprehensive laser scanning, VDC/BIM certification methodology and the support network necessary to sustain the program. In our minds, local universities, vocational schools and trade unions were the most likely candidates to adopt such a progressive program. The problem is the economy has many institutions reducing their curriculum. For example, the CSU system is cutting classes, raising admission and limiting students exposure to anything but core, essential components of their curriculum. At a time when we should be immersing our next generation of engineers and scientist in the technology(s) that will be in demand most, we are cutting back on educational and training programs. With the high unemployment and large numbers of members unable to pay dues, labor unions have seen major declines in revenues and have also found it necessary to reduce the amount of educational and training opportunities available to their members. This is the wrong time to reduce the amount educational resources for our citizens.

During a presentation at the San Jose campus of the Center for Employment Training (CET) a student said he was really excited to about our presentation on Reality Capture and he was hoping to find a training program to learn more about the process. He went on the mention that he was from Cambodia and he could get a laser scanning certification there but he wasn't sure it would be recognized here. He also mentioned that in Cambodia, they were studying 5D programs, not 3D!

Stanford University

This invites one very serious question; this is Silicon Valley, the cradle of technical innovation. How is it that we are not leading the world in the application and training of  VDC, BIM, 3D, 4D, 5D, reality capture? We have some of the leading engineering schools in the country yet these cutting edge concepts are not part of the curriculum. There is of course, one exception to this situation; Stanford University's Center for Integrated Facility Engineering, or CIFE research institute. CIFE is the premiere facility engineering project in the world and if you are in the Masters or PHD program at Stanford University, you've got an opportunity to apply. Otherwise, the Silicon Valley offers little in the form of education and/or training for these emerging and technical fields. Interestingly, many of the visitors to this blog are from Asia and Europe where it appears that the interest in this technology is on an upward climb.

San Jose Normal School-
Now Known As SJSU

Last summer, I heard that Evergreen Valley College was about to start the first BIM program at the Community College Level in Northern California. (Originally, I heard it was the first Community College level BIM program in the state however the L.A. Community College District's recent decision that all future L.A. Community College buildings must meet BIM established standards throws doubt on that claim.) Of course, this required my immediate attention so I emailed the Engineering Department to find out more about the programs offered. I was pleasantly surprised to find an entire department dedicated to the cutting edge technology that will become standard office tools for tomorrow's engineers and designers. Combined with the critical science of surveying and geomatics, reality capture and virtual design construction provides a unique collection of skills unavailable at most 4 year universities.

San Jose State University

Of course, it helps to have knowledgeable teachers, which Evergreen certainly has. One of them happens to be my partner at NVentum, Ken Hanna. For those of you who know Ken, you know he eats, drinks and sleeps BIM and Virtual Design Construction. When it comes to laser scanning technology, there are few who know more about the topic. The instructors in these specialized disciplines have years of instructional and practical experience however until now the program(s) were lacking a major component.

We are very excited about the partnership we've developed with Evergreen Valley College's BIM/VDC, Survey and Geomatics programs. Our collaborative efforts to map, scan and model the History San Jose campus will provide the practical learning experiences necessary to master the skills required in today's and tomorrow's job markets. The project offers opportunities for students to work directly on projects such as sustainable energy retrofits of both historic and non-historic buildings, working with cutting edge asset management technology, working with point cloud technology, software development/programming, reality capture technology, preservation and museum sciences applications, surveying and geomatics, virtual design construction/re-construction, seismic retrofits of historic and non-historic buildings, 3D models as management/operations data base, 4D VDC processes.

Evergreen Valley College
San Jose, CA.

We shouldn't have to worry about these jobs being outsourced. Most of the jobs requiring these skills are right here in the U.S.; sustainable retrofitting of as-built facilities, seismic retrofits, infrastructure monitoring and upgrades, new construction, etc.. The expanded use of these technologies will undoubtedly spin off other supporting businesses and industries that will further spur our economic growth. Before we can really begin to realize these changes, we have to provide training programs for our citizens. We shouldn't have to worry about these jobs being outsourced, unless we fail to establish training programs here, at home. Fortunately, Evergreen Valley College has taken the first major step in establishing a comprehensive program to address the void in technical training for our next generation of construction professionals, designers and engineers.

If you know of people who are looking for interesting careers and new technology(s), have them check out Evergreen Valley College in San Jose.

Keepers Of San Jose's History

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

"One of the most promising uses of 3D technology is heritage conservation. Museums are filled with priceless artifacts – bits and pieces of history that tell the stories of our ancestors – but war, 

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

earthquake, handling and time cause irreplaceable historical treasures to be lost, damaged or even destroyed. Yet museums have a mandate to present the nation's heritage to visitors, students and scholars. 

 By creating virtual 3D models of museum artifacts, museums could limit the handling and movement of artifacts. Displays of virtual artifacts have the potential to last indefinitely, ensuring generations to come will continue to admire and learn from them, without causing damage."...

National Research Council Canada. January 2010

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/research/discoveries/media/virtual-reality.html

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

The Project

At first glance, the goal of this project is simple and straight forward; the gathering of sufficient data to create a 3D BIM model of History San Jose. However, a detailed analysis of the project reveals the complexities inherent in such an ambitious endeavor.

History San Jose is not your typical museum by any stretch of the imagination. The eclectic collection of artifacts, the size of the campus, the condition and nature of the various historic buildings make this a truly unique undertaking. Consider some of the more obvious challenges:

Museum Artifacts

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

-More than 2500 photographs, from early settlers to agriculture to nature scenes

-City records including the original 1789 manuscripts from the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadelupe.

-Santa Clara County records from 1849 to 1930

-Bicycle collections

-Agricultural tools: yokes, harnesses, plows, prune grader, tractors

-Architectural pieces: doors, fence posts, banisters, staircases, wood planks….

-Household items: stoves, refrigerators, ice boxes, sewing machines, washing machines…

-Furniture: beds frames, mirrors, dressers, cabinets, chairs, tables, desk, lamps…

-Vehicles: tractors, wagons, sleighs, trolleys….

-Antique adding machines, printing presses, switchboards, typewriters….

-Music: pianos, player pianos, phonographs

-Over 1000 local maps from 1847 to present

-Aerial photographs from the 1930s

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

-Cemetery Records

Museum Buildings

There are 30 buildings in various conditions and stages of restoration located on the museum campus. Some buildings have been totally restored, are in excellent condition and open to the public. Other buildings have been partially restored and are a work in progress.  Still, other buildings are incomplete and missing part of the original structures. 

Laser Scan Of History SJ Printing Office- K.Hanna, NVentum llc. 20011

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

The Campus

History San Jose Campus Circa 1975
Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

There are no detailed site maps of the History San Jose campus. As a result, records are in question and the need for an official topographical survey of the site is an essential component of the project's overall mission.

Campus Map Courtesy of History San Jose

Laser Scan of History SJ Plaza (SE), K.Hanna- NVentum llc.2011

The Opportunities

Our stated goal is the gathering of data for the development of a BIM Model of History San Jose. However, the objectives and milestones in route to that goal offer tremendous opportunities for education, innovation and workforce development.

One of the challenges NVentum continues to face is the lack of a knowledgeable and trained pool of individuals with an understanding of reality capture methodology. Of those who are fortunate enough to have found training opportunities, many haven’t had the practical experience to apply what they’ve learned to their field of endeavor.  This project provides ample opportunities for students to practice new skills and techniques that are essential in today’s job markets. Reality capture techniques and technology, topographical surveys, asset management, virtual design construction, facility retrofits, sustainable technology, point cloud registration, augmented reality are just some of the educational and training opportunities available for engineering students.

We are currently developing educational opportunities in conjunction with the engineering schools at Santa Clara University and San Jose State University.  Evergreen Valley College in San Jose has recently developed a BIM program with classes scheduled to begin this Fall. Students in the third semester of EVC’s BIM program will be able to take classroom theory and apply it to the History San Jose project under the supervision of professional staff.  The practical applications of these unique skills are critical to the development of our next generation of architects, curators, designers and engineers.

There is a major emphasis on sustainability for both new and as-built facilities. By comparison, designing and constructing sustainable buildings from the ground up as opposed to retrofitting as-built facilities is an easy proposition. The inherent challenges in as-built retrofits can be daunting to put it mildly. Let’s take an example of a historic building on the History San Jose campus; how do you retrofit a building that was built at the turn of the century, has no forensic data, no blueprints and has been updated several times over the past 100 years?  Challenges arise when the mix of technology and construction methods over the past 100 hundred years of maintenance, operations and building upgrades are all combined in one building. The lack of universal platforms and adaptable technology can create major obstacles to a preservation and/or restoration project. History San Jose provides an opportunity to address this challenge and others like it.

What is the true definition of sustainable retrofits when discussing as-built facilities? At what point does it become impractical to retrofit an older facility? When is forensic reality capture appropriate and/or necessary in the preservation process?

As you can see, this is not your typical project. The opportunities presented, the applied technology, the potential impact on the next generation of scholars and engineers  make this a truly unprecedented project and a model for future collaborative endeavors between the private sector, non-profit community and higher education.

Laser Scan w/Texture Map Image of History SJ Print Office-K.Hanna, NVentum llc. 2011

The Documentation Process

As an advocate for laser scanning technology, I am constantly preaching the virtues and vast untapped uses for this particular type of reality capture. However in a practical sense, it wouldn't be wise for me to ignore the obvious short falls of this technology and the questions surrounding its applications. There are indeed a myriad of applications and functions that this technology can offer; including entire new jobs functions and career paths. However, there are also limitations to the technology that must be addressed before we can realize the industry expansion and growth we know will eventually take place.

As for the pros of laser scanning as a documentation process for historic buildings, there are plenty. Laser scanners can gather millions of bits of information in a single scan. Scanners can gather information from dangerous/hazardous locations, difficult to reach areas or extreme heights. Scanners provide access to data that would otherwise be very costly and/or even dangerous to obtain. Scanners also provide a level of detail that cannot be found with even the most high resolution cameras.

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

As for the documentation of artwork such as paintings and written documents, the laser can capture even the most subtle nuances such as the artist's brush strokes or details in penmanship. All without posing a threat or hazard to the artifact.

Documenting pottery, turn of the century kitchen utensils, furniture and tools are all appropriate applications and areas where this technology shows tremendous promise. At times, the upside of this technology and its applications appear endless.

Freedom Papers Of Sampson Greaves filed with Santa Clara County Recorders in 1854
Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

Though the arguments in favor of this technology are loud and clear, some of the challenges to the expanded applications are glaringly apparent. First and foremost, reality capture technology is much like basic photography; "it's line of sight" technology. The laser can only see what is in its direct path. Anything that is blocked, obscured or invisible to the laser's beam cannot be documented. Therefore to avoid physical barriers to the scanning process like bushes, fences and other obstacles, multiple scans from various angles must be performed to get the full benefit of the technology. The time required to set up and complete a scan, relocate the scanner for the next set of scans can be a bit much, especially when working under strict time constraints. Thus, when dealing with small, multi-room structures it may be easier, less time consuming and less costly to utilize hand measurement tools. (Conversely, the documentation of large, open facilities such as auditoriums, convention halls or warehouses are an ideal applications for this technology.) These visual limitations obviously extend to other areas such as the rooftops and underneath buildings. A basic rule of thumb when using laser scanning tools is if you can't see it, neither will the laser.

Because lasers work off of an object's reflectivity, they have a very difficult time collecting data from dark colored items. This can be compensated for when incorporating texture mapping

techniques to the final product however this idea is not without its flaws. Mainly, the quality and resolution of a laser scan is extremely difficult if not impossible to match with today's photo technology. The moment the photo overlay is applied to the laser scan there is a marked reduction in quality, sharpness and to a much lesser extent, accuracy of a laser scan.

To document the floor plan of an as-built facility, each room must be scanned individually. The adjoining/transitional spaces such as hallways and foyers must be scanned and the individual sets of point cloud data registered to form an dimensional accurate model. Once again, time equals cost and this process can take time.

When operating the laser at lower intensity levels, the edge of the point cloud can look "fuzzy" and lack the detail necessary to take accurate measurements. Though, I'm sure the type of laser and its application has a major impact on this phenomenon. I am anxious to test the application of different models and types of lasers in a variety of situations and duties during the upcoming months of this project.

For forensic documentation purposes, the laser is unable to gather details about construction materials so certain aspects of the process require significant operator input. No matter how advance the technology, the human factor is critical to the accuracy and effectiveness of the product. This underscores the importance of this project's educational component. Through every step of the project, from the documentation/reality capture of the campus to the reality capture of  and documentation of the farming equipment; the capture of all data, how it is accessed, shared and utilized will be developed through practical application in the real world environment.

Serious consideration must also be given to the long term maintenance and sustainability of electronic files and records. What happens to files that are constantly in use, altered, shared and manipulated? The deterioration of electronic files is a very serious concern that must be addressed. Redundancy, back-up systems and alternative records are essential to the documentation and preservation process. The 3D model can be used to create printable 2D floor plans, campus maps and schematics as backup and supplemental documentation.

The bottom line is a project of this magnitude will require multiple strategies to achieve the optimum results for the museum, its artifacts and the general public. Particular elements of the project will require deep forensic documentation while others may require a much less detailed accounting for condition monitoring and exhibition. In some elements, laser scanning technology may be supplemented with other documentation processes to achieve the best possible outcome for the museum's artifacts and for exhibition purposes.

As with all emerging technologies there are still questions to be answered, techniques to be mastered and applications to be discovered. Stay tuned.....