Digitising Commercial Buildings for Facilities Management

Many organisations are looking for better ways to capture, store and share information about their buildings.

Facilities management teams, asset managers and property owners often rely on a mix of drawings, photos, site notes and contractor reports to understand how a building is configured. Over time, this information can become fragmented or outdated.

Technologies such as Matterport LiDAR capture allow buildings to be digitally recorded, creating a visual and spatial record of the property that can be accessed remotely and shared across teams.

For organisations managing multiple buildings or large commercial assets, this approach can significantly improve how building information is documented and used.

Creating a Digital Record of Your Buildings

Matterport capture creates a complete digital model of a building, allowing users to explore the space remotely while also providing accurate spatial data.

Once captured, the model becomes a permanent digital reference for the building at that point in time.

Facilities and asset management teams can use these models to:

• review building layouts remotely

• assist with maintenance planning

• brief contractors before site visits

• support refurbishment and upgrade planning

• document existing conditions

For organisations managing buildings across multiple locations, this allows teams to review spaces without needing to travel to site.

Security, User Controls and Sharing

Digital building models can be securely hosted and shared with different stakeholders depending on their role.

Access to the model can be controlled so that it is shared only with specific users or teams.

This makes it easy to provide access to:

• facilities management teams

• contractors and consultants

• architects and design teams

• leasing teams

• asset managers

Models can also be embedded into internal systems or shared through secure links, allowing teams to collaborate using the same building information.

Adding Building Intelligence with Tags

One of the most powerful features of Matterport models is the ability to embed information directly within the digital building.

Tags can be placed throughout the model to store key information such as:

• equipment specifications

• O&M manuals

• asset identification numbers

• maintenance procedures

• photos or PDF documents

• service records

For example, facilities teams may place tags on:

• HVAC equipment

• switchboards

• fire systems

• plant rooms

• access panels

This effectively turns the model into a visual interface for building information, making it easier for teams to locate and access important documentation.

Exporting Building Data and Space Information

Matterport models can also generate Property Intelligence Reports, which extract spatial information from the building model.

These reports can include:

• room dimensions

• ceiling heights

• room areas

• floor areas

• labelled spaces

This data can be exported into CSV format, allowing it to be used in spreadsheets, asset registers, or facilities management systems.

Facilities management teams often use this information for:

• space planning

• asset documentation

• lease planning

• facilities reporting

Scan-to-BIM and Design Workflows

The data captured through Matterport can also support design and refurbishment projects.

Captured buildings can be exported as E57 point cloud files, which can be imported into design software such as:

• Revit

• AutoCAD

• Navisworks

Architects and design teams can then use this point cloud as a reference when modelling the building.

Alternatively, the data can be converted into structured BIM models, typically delivered in Revit format.

These models are commonly produced at:

• LOD 200 – general building structure and layout

• LOD 300 – more detailed architectural elements

This workflow is often used for:

• tenant fit-outs

• refurbishment projects

• capital works planning

• redevelopment studies

Typical Capture Times for Commercial Buildings

Capture times depend on the size and complexity of the building.

As a general guide:

• smaller commercial buildings: approximately 1–2 hours onsite

• medium assets: typically 3–5 hours onsite

• large facilities such as shopping centres: up to one to two full days depending on scope

Factors that influence capture time include:

• number of levels

• building size

• plant rooms or service areas

• access arrangements

Updating Models After Refurbishments

Buildings naturally evolve over time as refurbishments, upgrades and tenant fit-outs occur.

One advantage of digital capture is that specific areas can be recaptured and updated, rather than scanning the entire building again.

This allows the model to remain useful as the building changes, while avoiding the need to repeat the entire capture process.

Examples include:

• new tenant fit-outs

• upgraded plant rooms

• refurbished common areas

• staged redevelopment works

Supporting National Property Portfolios

Many organisations manage buildings across multiple locations, including regional or remote assets.

R24 operates with a large national team, allowing us to capture buildings efficiently across Australia while keeping travel costs manageable.

This makes it possible to digitise buildings across a portfolio in a consistent and cost-effective way, even where sites are located outside major metropolitan areas.

Maximising the Value of Building Data

Our focus is not simply on completing the scan, but on helping clients get the greatest possible value from the data captured.

Once a building has been digitised, the information can support multiple teams within an organisation, including:

• facilities management

• asset management

• leasing teams

• refurbishment and design teams

• contractors and consultants

Many organisations find that once the model exists, additional departments begin using the data to support their own workflows.

For example, facilities teams may use the model for maintenance planning, while architects and consultants may later use the same data for refurbishment or design projects.

Experienced Matterport Capture Team

R24 provides Matterport capture services across Australia, supporting organisations that need accurate digital documentation of their buildings.

Our team works with commercial property owners, facilities management teams, architects and design consultants, capturing buildings and preparing the data required for refurbishment planning, asset management and BIM workflows.

We regularly capture a wide range of assets including commercial offices, shopping centres, education facilities and large multi-site portfolios.

Because we operate with a national team, we can also assist organisations with buildings located across multiple cities or regional locations.

Discuss Your Objectives

Every organisation has different objectives when digitising buildings, whether that involves facilities management, refurbishment planning, asset documentation or BIM modelling.

If your organisation is considering capturing buildings or digitising part of your property portfolio, our team would be happy to discuss your objectives and help determine the most suitable approach.