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.....

A Brief History Of Laser Scanning In The U.S.

 Laser scanning systems first became available in the US in the mid 1990s and were first put to use by oil refinery and chemical plant operators who had seen their plants expand and change over time but without accurate as-built drawings being kept. The cost of shut down while repairs or renovations are carried out can be enormous and therefore owners want to limit downtime to the absolute minimum. The use of a laser scanner to create an accurate as-built record of an area perhaps hazardous for humans to access became an essential tool for plant operators.

Builder Total Station

The arrival of laser scanners for building surveys introduces a new era – not just for surveyors and general contractors but also for building owners and managers who need accurate plans and drawings quickly, without the inconvenience of providing special access equipment. Laser scanning also offers the potential to move into 3D modeling with the confidence that the data captured is an accurate representation of every detail of a building or structure, however complex or intricate the detailing. There is little doubt that this exciting new technology will be used increasingly as an alternative to existing methods.

Imagine setting up a small machine on a tripod in the middle of a room. You switch it on. For the next few minutes it scans and rotates. At the end of a few minutes activity it has captured enough data to produce accurately dimensioned drawings of all the room’s features – window reveals, mullions, transoms and soffits, intricate cornices, crown moldings or even the complex moldings of Grecian columns. This is the advantage of today’s laser scanning technology.

The data the laser scanner has captured during its brief period of activity allows the operator/user to generate sections and plans. The data is converted into a three-dimensional model for use within a CAD system or perhaps for incorporating in a virtual reality scene or Building Information Management (BIM) or other computer modeling system. The potential is vast and the results are very impressive.

NEW CAREER OPPORTUNITIES ON THE HORIZON

The effective use of a laser scanner requires a person with multiple skills. One needs the knowledge of a construction foreman to evaluate its suitability for a particular project, also to understand what data is necessary to complete the given task. The operator needs the vision of a photographer to visualize the end product and develop the scanning sequence. Lastly, the operator should have an understanding of surveying techniques to help develop layout and workflow. These machines capture vast amounts of data very quickly, and it takes a surveyor with knowledge of building construction as well as reality capture technology to know what can be discarded and what data is necessary for the final drawing or digital CAD model.

So, what can we expect from this new technology? For a person with the described skill set, what type of careers paths might open up in the foreseeable future? Currently, reality capture/laser scanning technology is being used in civil engineering; from seismic retrofitting to virtual design. Reality capture is being utilized for documentation of forensic accident/crime scenes. Archaeologist use laser scanning to document excavations and reconstruct ancient ruins. The GSA uses laser scanning to document government facilities for condition monitoring and asset management. From the private sector to non-profits, local and federal government, the use of laser scanning technology is expanding as new applications continue to be developed.

The expanded use of laser scanning will ultimately spawn a host of new career opportunities. Laser scanning is the first step in a process. Once the scan is completed, there is the task of processing the data; the point cloud. Processing point cloud data requires computer skills, along with the ability to interpret blueprints or schematics and a sound understanding of the field of application. For example, if using this technology to excavate a site, a strong background in archaeology is a prerequisite to success. If applying this technology to crime scene investigation, an understanding of forensic investigation is an essential component to the desired outcome. The laser is a tremendous tool in the hands of a trained professional.

Once the scans have been completed, you have a point cloud and the 3D model completed, what next? The 3D model is a data base that must be updated and maintained. Building owners and operators will need to hire a BIM systems manager or operator to insure the facility and investments are protected and operating at peak performance. What about facilities that don't want the expense of  hiring full-time person to manage their BIM systems?  Opportunities will arise for companies to market themselves as maintenance companies that manage and update BIM systems for facilities. I see new companies whose sole business is the maintenance and operation of BIM systems. I can also see some of today's corporate giants entering the field of BIM operations. Can you image H.P. or Google starting a BIM operations division? Not out of the question....

So how can a laser scanner help in building conservation? Building renovation and conservation projects invariably need accurate plans and drawings of the existing layouts and features before the specialists can begin their work. But historic buildings are notoriously poorly documented and accurately dimensioned drawings either don’t exist or have been lost with the passage of time. Even structures built in the 1960s and 70s often lack any detailed record of how they were built and in some cases are beginning to pose a hazard for those who have to alter or demolish them.

Leica Geosystems HDS6200

NVentum’s laser of choice is the Leica Geosystems HDS6200. The laser scans an area of 360 degrees by 270 degrees. It also has the advantage of being able to capture all of its data from ground level; no scaffolding, hoist or crane is necessary as the scanner can do its work at ranges of up to 79 meters from the surfaces being measured. The accurate measurement of the scanner’s laser pulse (which is emitted at a rate of up to 1,000 per second) is critical and can be a major source of errors in the hands of an inexperienced operator. Experienced surveyors can then carefully analyze and process the point cloud data so that the most accurate measurements possible are captured for drawings, as well as ensuring that digital files are not overloaded with surplus data. The density of the point cloud captured will depend on the range of the scanner from the surfaces being measured: the closer the range the denser the point cloud.

...more to come...

CAPTURING HISTORY SAN JOSE

Starting in the Fall 2011, NVentum, LLC. will begin the process of documenting History San Jose; it’s 14acre campus, it’s 30 facilities and all historical artifacts. A 3 Dimensional Model of History San Jose will be developed utilizing cutting edge laser technology. This 3D model will be used as a data base for the latest sustainable building technology, site survey data and historical preservation practices.

The project will be implemented in three (3) phases over a 24month period. The goal is to gather all possible data for the purpose of creating a state of the art, 3D BIM model for the museum.

The first phase of the project consists of surveying the 14 acre History San Jose property. The property will be divided into a grid and surveyed using total stations for maximum accuracy and efficiency.

The second phase of the project involves the reality capture of the museum’s property, including all historic buildings and objects. The property and each structure will be laser scanned for historic documentation, condition monitoring and preservation of the buildings.

Phase three of the project is the documentation of the museum’s artifacts. All 50,000 artifacts and objects will be laser scanned and documented for inclusion in the museum’s BIM Model. State of the art monitoring applications will be incorporated in the documentation process and added to the BIM Model.

Reality Capture and Today’s Museums

Modern techniques for archiving, conserving and preserving historical artifacts have changed dramatically over the past few years with the introduction of laser scanning technology. The ability to obtain accurate 3 dimensional scale model of a structure or artifact is an invaluable tool for documentation, condition monitoring and restorative planning.

The need and uses for 3D models is not restricted to historical artifacts and structures. The 3D model as a data base for today’s sustainable building technology is the next logical step in museum modernization. Today’s BIM systems coupled with virtual design platforms allow facility operators to monitor climate control and humidity levels, conduct real-time energy audits and acoustical simulations.  

The full scope of use of the 3D scanning technology in these industries is yet to be realized; new applications are discovered every day.

Virtual Museums

·         Representation of art pieces for multimedia presentations

·         3D scanning for virtual museums online or on-site

·         Facility/Space management

·         Exhibit construction and design

Conservation, Restoration and Digital Archiving

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

·         Non contact 3D scanning of artworks, museum exhibits and existing buildings in order to create 3D files

·         3D files post-treatment

·         Reverse engineering/repairs based on remains

·         Reality Capture/Virtual restoration of artifacts

·         Asset Management

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

Archaeology

·         On-site, non contact color 3D scanning of fossils/artifacts for reconstitution and reconstruction purposes

·         3D reproduction of archaeological/historical sites and artifacts.

Marketing

·         Scale up/down of artwork and sculptures for mass production of detailed and accurate replicas and artifacts.

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

·         Sponsorship/Sales opportunities for online or on-site exhibits.
 

Construction/Expansion/Retrofitting

·         2D Drawing

·         3D Modeling

·         Reverse engineering of existing buildings for machining purposes (ex.: scale models, reproduction)

·         Scale-ups/downs of architectural models

·         3D archiving of architectural models

Photo Courtesy of History San Jose

·         Restorations of existing buildings and artifacts according to original plans

·         Reality Capture/Building impairment assessment

·         Virtual Design Analysis for seismic/sustainable facility retrofit

Building Management/Operations
  Data base for BIM systems- Maintenance/Mechanical, HVAC, Security, Administration, Marketing, Facility/Material Logistics.

HISTORY SAN JOSE

From the History San Jose Web Page:

"In celebration of the centennial of the California Gold Rush and statehood, in1949 the City of San José constructed a replica of the building in which the first state legislature met in 1850. This replica was later moved to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, and historical collecting began in earnest under the direction of Clyde Arbuckle’s an unpaid City Historian. In 1971 twelve acres at the south end of the city’s largest park were dedicated to a history museum designed as a replica Victorian village.

Over the next 25 years, 26 historic and replica structures were relocated to and constructed on the site and managed as the “San José Historical Museum” by City employees through the Regional Parks program. The Museum eventually accumulated the largest regional historical collection in  California. 
In the early 1970’s the San José Historical Museum Association was founded to raise private funds in support of the museum. However, by 1996, the Association was operating a separate historic site, the City-owned Peralta Adobe and Fallon House, as a totally separate institution.

At the City’s initiation, between 1994 and 1998, the Association evolved into a full operating organization re-named the Historical Museums of San José (HMSJ). HMSJ signed a thirty-year Agreement to manage both the city-owned Historical Museum and the Peralta Adobe-Fallon House Historic Site. By April 1998, HMSJ began hiring a totally new professional staff. Under the terms of the Agreement, the City retains ownership of all collections received to that date, buildings, and grounds. Title to any collections acquired after April 1998 rests with the new organization. HMSJ assumed responsibility for daily management and operations, for which the City provides an annual subsidy.

From the beginning, the new organization renamed “History San José” in 2000, has been passionately committed to expanding service and access to the broadest possible community."

For more about the museum, the artifacts, events and operating schedule, please visit them at

http://www.historysanjose.org/about_hsj/our_mission.html