CHALLENGE

In construction, designs don’t always match real-world conditions. Even small deviations between drawings and existing conditions can create major delays—especially on projects inside active hospitals.

When the conditions shown in as-built drawings differ from what exists in the field, work often pauses while the design team evaluates the issue and revises the design. These interruptions can significantly impact project schedules. Identifying and addressing deviations as early as possible in the design process is critical to maintaining project momentum.

For the Imaging Equipment Replacement project at El Camino Hospital in Mountain View, schedule sensitivity was even more pronounced. Any delays in the field directly affected when the hospital’s imaging equipment could be brought back online. Because hospitals rely heavily on imaging systems for patient care and diagnostics, minimizing equipment downtime and overall project duration was essential to the project’s success.

SOLUTION

To reduce the risk of unforeseen field conflicts, Truebeck Construction engaged Siteline to capture highly accurate existing conditions before construction progressed.

Siteline used a NavVis VLX laser scanner along with 360-degree cameras to document the entire overhead space above the ceiling. The team identified and modeled existing utilities to a tolerance of three-quarters of an inch, producing a detailed as-built model of the existing infrastructure.

In addition to the model, Siteline created a comprehensive library of 360-degree photos documenting every visible element above the ceiling. These images were organized within Cupix, a web-based platform that places each photo within a navigable 3D environment. This allowed the project team to quickly move from one viewpoint to another and visually explore the existing conditions throughout the space.

VALUE

The combination of detailed modeling and immersive 360-degree imagery gave the project team a powerful resource for coordination, communication, and problem-solving.

According to the Truebeck team, the Cupix photos have been used in roughly half of the project’s RFIs and are frequently referenced during owner meetings. When questions arise from trade partners, the team can quickly send a direct link to the exact location in the model.

As one team member explained:

“When a trade partner has a question we can shoot them a link to that exact location.”

In other cases, the imagery helps identify unknown utilities or clarify field conflicts.

“We’ll find a conflict, but our team isn’t sure whose utility it is, so we show it to the owner, and they tell us who owns it.”

The ability to visualize conditions and resolve questions quickly keeps stakeholders aligned and helps maintain project momentum.

“It snowballs. It keeps the momentum going forward so we can keep building.”

IMPLEMENTATION

Capturing this level of detail required careful coordination with the hospital to avoid disrupting daily operations.

Siteline worked closely with hospital staff to schedule scanning activities late at night, when patient care areas were less active. While the effort required additional time and upfront investment, the project team viewed it as a proactive step to avoid larger issues later.

As the Truebeck team noted:

“It took a bit of money and time up front to get to where we are, but if we hadn’t done it then it would likely be more problematic and costly later.”

RESULTS

Overhead spaces in hospitals are often dense and complex, making them difficult to fully understand using traditional documentation methods. By capturing accurate field data and organizing it within an intuitive platform, the team gained immediate visibility into existing conditions.

Instead of waiting days—or even weeks—to investigate field conflicts, the project team can now resolve many issues in hours or even minutes.

As the Truebeck team summarized:

“This project wouldn’t be the same without this technology.”