Laser Scanning a Frank Lloyd Wright

TALIESIN West, an experimental residential complex built between 1937 and 1959 by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright in Arizona, has been scanned using an imaging laser scanner from Leica Geosystems.

The iconic residence is an historic landmark which was designed by the architect and built by his students and apprentices.

Above: Laser scanning and imaging technology was used to document the iconic residential complex by Frank Lloyd Wright (image courtesy of Leica BLK360).

With little existing record information, scanning technology was used to generate a three-dimensional point cloud model of the site, including the building's interior and exterior.

Above and below: A number of different viewpoints both inside and outside were chosen to create a point cloud model of the building (image courtesy of Leica 360BLK).

This gave the design team a detailed as-built model that could be used to develop plans and sections of the building. The digital model can now be used to inform future renovations and remedial works.

Above: The digital model will help future generations carry out renovations and remedial works on the building (image courtesy of Leica BLK360).

Additionally, the scan data obtained has been used to develop a virtual tour of the building. The tour which has been made available to people who are unable to experience the complex in person. 

Above: A documentary explaining the scanning process (video courtesy of Leica BLK360).