Our role was to deliver a detailed, information-rich 3D BIM model of the entire 14-acre site, supporting design development, construction planning and long-term facilities management for the new cultural quarter.
Delivering a full digital record of a live, complex exhibition campus required careful planning and advanced capture techniques. Olympia London comprises multiple interconnected buildings, historic structures, expansive roof systems and extensive underground utilities, all operating as a major events venue throughout the survey works.
Key drivers and challenges:
Scope of works:
Plowman Craven delivered a coordinated, multi-discipline survey programme, combining aerial, terrestrial and underground mapping to build a robust, future-proof digital model of the 14-acre Olympia London site.
Using UAS to capture the complex roof structures, the team safely surveyed areas that were otherwise inaccessible. Detailed flight planning and on-site testing ensured safe operations despite RF interference around the venue. This aerial data was complemented by terrestrial laser scanning, total station observations, underground utilities mapping and 360-degree photography to form a complete dataset of internal, external and sub-surface assets.
All data was merged into a single, high-accuracy point cloud, enabling the delivery of a detailed Revit BIM model structured in six phased volumes aligned with design priorities. Working as BIM consultants from the outset, Plowman Craven advised the client and design team on appropriate levels of detail and naming standards in accordance with BS1192 and BS8541, ensuring a compliant, efficient and collaborative information model.
Operationally, survey teams worked in parallel across the live exhibition venue, coordinating with events schedules to minimise disruption. The result was a comprehensive digital record designed not only to support the redevelopment programme, but to provide long-term value through enhanced facilities management and lifecycle planning.
This project delivered a comprehensive digital foundation that enabled informed decision-making, coordinated design development, and long-term estate planning.
Every structural, architectural and underground element was surveyed, eliminating the need for repeat site visits and giving the project team complete asset intelligence from the outset.
The strategic use of UAS and coordinated survey teams ensured safe access to complex roof structures and minimised disruption in a live, operational venue.
Phased model delivery and strict adherence to BIM Level 2 standards supported streamlined collaboration across architects, engineers and client teams, enabling efficient planning and design progression.
The detailed BIM model establishes a long-term digital asset that will support intelligent facilities management and lifecycle planning as the site evolves.
Plowman Craven delivered a fully integrated, high-fidelity BIM model that serves as the digital backbone for the Olympia project. By combining advanced survey techniques, experienced BIM consultancy and phased delivery, the team supported strategic decision-making while reducing site disruption, programme risk and future re-survey costs.
This enduring digital record continues to underpin the redevelopment and future operation of Olympia London, ensuring stakeholders have accurate, trusted and actionable information at every stage of the project lifecycle.
