Lucion’s digital mapping preserves Durham University’s historic past

Lucion Survey is being brought in by Durham University to help preserve its historic estate as part of a future-proofing project.

The university estate includes 80 listed buildings, and two scheduled ancient monuments.

Local specialist Lucion has created detailed laser scans and 3D mapping for 42 buildings, from lecture theatres and libraries, to stone staircases and facades. Such digital records helped restore Notre Dame Cathedral following the 2019 fire. 

Multiple modifications to the Durham University estate have taken place over the years, making it difficult to plan future restoration and refurbishment projects.

The estate must also consider climate mitigation works, such as planning for flooding and extreme weather.

Durham University interim space manager, Siobhan McMahon, said: “The complexity of managing refurbishment projects across our university estate requires precise and up-to-date building information. 

“Our previous reliance on generic spatial maps was creating challenges in project planning and execution. Lucion’s comprehensive, measured building and topographical surveys have provided our space management team with accurate, detailed documentation of our facilities, enabling more efficient planning and implementation of our refurbishment programmes.”